Week 1: Diagnosis and its Application in Mental Health

Question 1

How does the Statistical approach define mental health problems?

Answer 1

Behaviour which deviates from statistical norms

Question 2

What is the main disadvantage of the Statistical definition of mental health problems?

Answer 2

Categorisation can lead to stigma and neglect individual needs

Question 3

How does the Deviation approach define mental health problems?

Answer 3

Behaviour which deviates from society’s social and political ideas about what is considered “normal”

Question 4

What is the main disadvantage of the Deviation definition of mental health problems?

Answer 4

Not always representative of mental health problems

Question 5

How does the Maladaptive and Dysfunction approach define mental health problems?

Answer 5

Behaviour which adversely affects the self or others and is a disruption of a “normal”, functional mechanism

Question 6

What is the main disadvantage of the Maladaptive and Dysfunction definition of mental health problems?

Answer 6

Many mental health problems may serve a protective factor

Question 7

How does the Distress and Disability approach define mental health problems?

Answer 7

Significant distress or impairment in social, academic or occupational functioning

Question 8

What is the main disadvantage of the Distress and Disability definition of mental health?

Answer 8

Fails to include examples that are representative of mental health problems

Question 9

What is the clinical procedure for diagnosis of mental disorders?

Answer 9

Determining whether a particular problem meets all DSM-5 or ICD-11 criteria of a disorder

Question 10

How does the DSM classify disorders?

Answer 10

By observable behavioural symptoms

Question 11

What are referred to as “essential features” in the DSM?

Answer 11

What defines the disorder

Question 12

What are referred to as “associate features” in the DSM?

Answer 12

Features and symptoms that are usually, but not always, present

Question 13

What is referred to as “diagnostic criteria” in the DSM?

Answer 13

A list of symptoms that must be present to give a label

Question 14

What is referred to as “differential diagnosis” in the DSM?

Answer 14

How to differentiate from other similar disorders

Question 15

What are subtypes in the DSM?

Answer 15

Categorical groups within the diagnosis

Question 16

What are specifiers in the DSM?

Answer 16

Define more homogenous groups within the broader category

Question 17

What are some problems with DSM classification?

Answer 17

• Doesn’t explain, only describes
• Clients can fall into several disorders
• Based on symptoms, not causes

Question 18

What are some helpful uses of diagnosis for service-users?

Answer 18

• Can help to make sense of symptoms
• Finds related information
• Helps to medicalise problems

Question 19

What are some disadvantages of diagnosis for service-users?

Answer 19

• Labels can be stigmatising and self-fulfilling
• Reduces complexity of individual experiences

Question 20

What is the main advantage of diagnosis for clinicians and researchers?

Answer 20

Enables groups of participants with similar problems to be researched and trialled with treatments

Question 21

What are some disadvantages of diagnosis for clinicians and researchers?

Answer 21

• Clinicians often rely on intuition
• Clinicians may feel pressured to give a labelled diagnosis

Question 22

Why is classification important?

Answer 22

• Enables research
• Plans and manages treatment
• Objective way of assessing effectiveness of treatment
• Prevention strategies and support services