Week 2 - Assessment, Formulation, and Diagnosis Flashcards
What is Allostatic Load?
Refers to wear and tear on the body that results from chronic stress
What does DSM stand for?
Stands for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
What is the DSM
classification of mental disorder published by the APA and it used as the primary diagnostic tool for mental health professionals and provides standardized criteria for diagnosing mental health
What is DSM mostly used for
clinical diagnosis, treatment planning, insurance reimbursement and research
Why is the DSM important?
- Consistency of diagnosis - ensures professions are using common criteria
- Guidance - ensures accurate diagnosis and identifies certain symptoms that relate to a disorder
What does the evolution of the DSM signify in terms of diagnostic practices?
The evolution of the DSM reflects a gradual shift from consensus-based to evidence-based diagnoses.
What are the 5 controversies of the DSM?
- Medicalization of Normal Behavior
- Reliability and Validity Concerns
- Influence of the Pharmaceutical Industry
- Cultural Bias
Reductionism and the Symptom-Based Approach
- simplifies complex mental health issues and focuses primarily on symptoms rather than underlying causes
“The inclusion of new disorders such as “Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder” (DMDD) has raised concerns that typical childhood temper tantrums could be misclassified as a mental disorder.” This is an example of…
Medicalization of Normal Behavior
“The broad and overlapping criteria for disorders like Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) may lead to different diagnoses for similar symptoms, questioning the manual’s reliability.” This is an example of…
Reliability and Validity Concerns
“The rise in diagnoses of disorders like Attention- Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and the corresponding increase in prescriptions for stimulants have been linked to potential conflicts of interest.” This is an example of…
Influence of the Pharmaceutical Industry
“Some diagnostic criteria may not be applicable or relevant in non-Western cultures, leading to potential misdiagnoses or inappropriate treatment plans.” This is an example of…
Cultural Bias
How is the DSM used and applied in Clinical practice
- Diagnostic Proces
- used to accurately diagnose mental disorder by matching a patients symptoms to the specific criteria outlined in the manuel - Case formulation
- integrate diagnostic information with clinician’s understanding of the patient’s history - Ethical Considerations
- Clinicians must consider patients cultural background when applying the DSM-5-TR to avoid misdiagnosis and over-pathologizing?
What is over-pathologizing and why is it ?
When normal behaviors or emotions might wrongly be seen as symptoms of a disorder
What is Clinical Formulation?
is a detailed explanation of a patient’s mental health issues, combining their symptoms, background, and life experiences
What is diagnosis?
Diagnosis is careful assessment of specific symptoms that match an identified disorder using an agreed upon taxonomy
