Unit 4: Diagnosing Mental Disorders

Question 1

What is a Categorical Diagnosis?

Answer 1

A categorical diagnosis is the identification of a mental disorder in which the disorder is labelled; this is prone to lead to stereotyping.

Question 2

What is a Dimensional Diagnosis?

Answer 2

A dimensional diagnosis is the identification of a mental disorder in which the disorder is described (especially in terms of severity); this is considered to reduce labelling and stereotyping

Question 3

What is Disease?

Answer 3

Disease is a condition with a known cause, predictable course and standard protocols for treatment.

Question 4

What is a Disorder?

Answer 4

A disorder is a set of symptoms that interfere with daily functioning. Symptoms are reasonably consistent among patients but origins/causes may differ.

Question 5

What is the DSM?

Answer 5

The DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) is a system by which mental disorders can be categorically diagnosed based on their set of symptoms.

Question 6

What is a global assessment of functioning (GAF)?

Answer 6

The GAF is a subjective assessment by the psychologist of a patient’s level functioning. Expressed as a score out of 100, where 50 is “normal”

Question 7

What is the ICD?

Answer 7

The ICD (International Classification of Diseases) is a system for categorically diagnosing physical and psychological conditions published by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Current edition is the ICD-10.

Question 8

What is a Multiaxial Diagnosis?

Answer 8

Multiaxial diagnosis is the system employed in the DSM of diagnosing conditions according to five axes.

Question 9

What are the five axes of the DSM?

Answer 9

1. Major psychological disorder
2. Mental retardation and personality disorder
3. General medical conditions
4. Psychosocial and environmental problems
5. GAF - global assessment of functioning

Question 10

What is Neurosis?

Answer 10

Neurosis is a disorder in which a person experiences dysfunctional thinking but realises that the thinking is not rational

Question 11

What is Psychosis?

Answer 11

Psychosis is a disorder in which a person experiences dysfunctional thinking and does not realise that the thinking is not rational - the person has lost touch with reality

Question 12

What is a Syndrome?

Answer 12

A syndrome is a particular profile of symptoms. The origins and clinical severity may vary. Eg. Dyslexia

Question 13

What types of disorders are found is axis 1 of the DSM?

Answer 13

Early onset (infancy-adolescence) disorders
Substance-related disorders
Schizophrenia
Mood disorders
Anxiety disorders

Question 14

What types of disorders a found in axis 2 of the DSM?

Answer 14

Paranoid personality disorder
Antisocial personality disorder
Borderline personality disorder
Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder

Question 15

What are 3 criticisms of the DSM?

Answer 15

• Cultural Variation: the DSM is based on American culture so it can not be readily applied to individuals of other cultures
• Psychological Illnesses do not fit into neat categories as most medical conditions do, and very often people with one diagnosed disorder have symptoms of one or more other disorders.
• Subjectivity: classification is based on symptoms reported by the person or behaviours they are subjectively observed to exhibit in the judgement of others

Question 16

Which personality characteristics are used to diagnose mental disorders using the dimensional approach?

Answer 16

Neuroticism
Agreeableness
Conscientiousness
Compulsiveness
Antisocial responses
Social withdrawal

Question 17

Why are the ICD and DSM regularly updated?

Answer 17

The ICD and DSM systems have undergone various changes over the years because some behaviours previously considered mental illnesses are now not regarded that way.

Question 18

What is the difference between a disease and a disorder?

Answer 18

A disease is a condition with a known cause, predictable course and standard protocols for treatment, such as Parkinson’s disease. Whereas, a disorder is an abnormality in functioning that has relatively consistent symptoms but a variation in origin/cause between patients, such as post-traumatic stress disorder.

Question 19

What are some problems with categorical diagnostic tools such as ICD and DSM?

Answer 19

Categorical diagnostic tools such as DSM and ICD can be problematic because the categories can change in validity overtime. As knowledge increases, and societal values change, existing categories may be removed. (Ie. Homosexuality)

Question 20

What is mental illness?

Answer 20

A mental illness can be defined as a health condition that changes a person’s thinking, feelings, or behavior (or all three) and that causes the person distress and difficulty in functioning.

Question 21

What is mental health?

Answer 21

Mental health is a state of emotional and psychological wellbeing where an individual understands their capabilities, can handle stress, contributes to society and can work productively