Comparing The Diagnostic And Statistical Manual Of Mental Disor

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In the realm of clinical psychology, two powerful diagnostic frameworks, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) and the International Classification of Diseases (ICD), play a pivotal role in shaping our understanding of mental health. These comprehensive manuals serve as indispensable resources for mental health professionals, providing a standardized approach to diagnosing and classifying psychological disorders. The DSM, published by the American Psychiatric Association (APA), and the ICD, overseen by the World Health Organization (WHO), offer valuable insights into the complexities of the human mind. In this article, we embark on a journey to decode these influential systems, unraveling the similarities, differences, …show more content…

Since its inception in 1952, the DSM has undergone several revisions, with the current version, DSM-5, released in 2013. This comprehensive manual encompasses over 300 disorders, meticulously organized into more than 20 distinct categories. Notably, DSM-5 introduced significant changes by discarding the multi-axial system, which evaluated overall functioning and the impact of various factors on diagnosis. However, it is evident that crucial considerations, such as the influence of medical and psychosocial elements like bereavement or unemployment, continue to shape the diagnostic process.

Criticism

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) has faced numerous criticisms regarding its usefulness as a diagnostic manual. One major concern has been the issue of reliability and validity. While revisions of the DSM have aimed to improve diagnostic reliability, disagreements among clinicians and researchers still persist. The lack of validity has also been questioned, with the director of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) stating that the agency would no longer fund research projects solely based on DSM diagnostic criteria. The DSM-5 field …show more content…

The ICD is developed by the World Health Organization (WHO), while the DSM is produced by the American Psychiatric Association (APA). These systems have historical differences and serve different purposes.

The ICD is rooted in WHO’s public health mission and has a global focus. It is developed through a collaborative and multilingual process, involving experts from various disciplines worldwide. The primary goal of the ICD’s mental and behavioral disorders classification is to help countries reduce the burden of mental disorders. It is approved by the World Health Assembly, consisting of health ministers from all WHO member countries. The ICD is widely distributed at a low cost, with discounts for low-income countries and free access