ipl-logo

Empirically And Etiological-Based Nosology

674 Words3 Pages

Rethinking the Classification of Psychological Disorders:
Towards an Empirically and Etiologically Based Nosology
Abstract:
Rethinking the Classification of Psychological Disorders:
Towards an Empirically and Etiologically Based Nosology

In the United States, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM, American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2013) presents the primary nosological structure for understanding constellations of mental health grievances as psychological disorders. The DSM puts forth a universal vocabulary that allows researchers, clinicians, healthcare workers, and policy makers to understand that a patient presenting with feelings of overwhelming sadness, trouble sleeping, difficulty concentrating, …show more content…

It is intentionally atheoretical; rather, it classifies disorders descriptively, on the basis of co-occurring symptoms agreed to be phenomenologically distinct categories. Such categories are defined by polythetic criteria, but held to represent distinct entities, separate from other psychological disorders and representative of functional departures from normality and sub-threshold symptom presentations (look for citations in beginning DSM pages). Although the DSM aims to be agnostic with regards to the etiology of psychological disorders, I argue that the classification of symptom constellations as phenomonically distinct categories has, for utilizers of the system, given rise to the implicit assumption that these categories develop out of distinct etiologies. Furthermore, I maintain that we now have sufficient evidence for abandoning the current rationally based approach in favor of empirically based diagnostic classification system that reflects actual covariance among symptoms and is sensitive to symptom …show more content…

[Define comorbidity?] The separation of disorders into distinct categories implies that these constructs ought to be meaningfully distinct; however, in the population, these disorders co-occur at rates far greater than chance (cite). In fact, there is now considerable evidence to suggest that comorbidity is more the rule than the exception (cite), and that such comorbidity is often substantial ([maybe add more, “e,g., individuals carrying an average of X concurrent diagnoses;” cite) Moreover, such comorbidity not random; rather, certain disorders or classes of disorders appear to covary systematically across the population (cite). Reliable patterns of comorbidity indicate the presence of shared latent factors underlying hypothetically distinct diagnostic

Show More
Related
1678 Words | 7 Pages

Mental illnesses have a high prevalence amongst the United States population. Each year, tens of millions of individuals suffer and are affected by mental illnesses (National Institute of Mental Health, 1). These illnesses range from anxiety disorder, eating disorders, major depression, personality disorder, and many more. Yet, with the existing knowledge, mental providers and professionals, and the DSM-5, mental illness remains a growing mystery to the public. Literature has played a significant role in how mental illnesses are defined, their characteristics, and the portrayal of those who are mentally ill to the public eye.

Read More
1328 Words | 6 Pages

It provides a concrete example of how psychological theories and models are applied in diagnosing, understanding, and treating individuals with major depressive disorder. Moreover, it emphasizes the value of an integrated treatment approach, combining medication, psychotherapy, and support systems, in addressing the multifaceted nature of mental health disorders. This case study serves as a reminder of the ongoing need for research, education, and training in the psychological sciences to better understand and treat mental health conditions

Read More
201 Words | 1 Pages

I have selected as my article “DSM–5: The Perfect Storm”. This article talks about changes made to the DSM-V and in particular it highlights Frances input on the changes. Frances states that “Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD), which turns “temper tantrums into a mental disorder” (p.177). He laments the introduction of mild neurocognitive disorder (MND), which he believes mislabels the minor cognitive changes of normal aging as a mental disorder.”

Read More
902 Words | 4 Pages

Concurrently with the political pressures exerted on the APA, the chair of the Committee on Nomenclature and Statistics at the time, Dr. Robert Spitzer, had been attempting to reconceptualize and operationalize the definition of mental disorders. Spitzer’s viewpoint informed the discussion of the 1973 meeting of the Nomenclature Committee (Bayer,

Read More
517 Words | 3 Pages

In the research conducted by Cox et al., (2012), there were limitations in their sample. Their sample size was too small which makes it difficult to generalize the data and a claim a specific relationship. Further research should incorporate a larger sample size to be considered representative of people to whom results will be generalized and also to ensure a representative distribution of the population. Ineffective screening for comorbid disorders was another limitation in Cox et al. , (2012) research.

Read More
1556 Words | 7 Pages

Accessed 24 Feb. 2018. This is a scholarly article in which multiple illustrations, graphs, and tables are used. Multiple authors and correct cited resources are constructed into the article as well. With the knowledge of multiple authors and facts, this article is highly credible regarding gathering information. Dual Diagnosis Association.

Read More
914 Words | 4 Pages

• This means it can box people into one of the available categories, sometimes inappropriately and it doesn’t accommodate the unique nature of the human condition. • The system does not account for the people who have ‘atypical’ symptom’s • The system looks at a person as a one-dimensional source of data rather than looking at the person holistically 1.1 - 3. Explain two alternative frameworks for understanding mental distress.

Read More
129 Words | 1 Pages

The key limitations of the psychiatric classification system are the system does not explain the causes of mental ill health, it can categorise into incorrect boxes, it does not include ‘atypical’ systems,

Read More
1382 Words | 6 Pages

He wrote his book, Mental Illness and American Society, in 1983. In his book, he argued that the psychiatric definition of mental illness is not fundamentally different from the definition of disease (pp. 35-36). Grob has stated that we know very little about what is classified as mental illness and this is one of the reasons why it is difficult to prove or disprove its existence. Gerald Grob believed that severe and persistent mental disorders require a judicious mix of medical and social support programs (Grob 1998, p. 213). Personal views and firsthand experiences had a tremendous impact on Grob’s influence and understandings (1983, p. xii).

Read More
1239 Words | 5 Pages

It has been debated among philosophers whether or not mental disorders should be considered mental disorders or not. Philosophers Hanna Pickard and Thomas Szasz are famously known for believing mental disorders are “myths” due to their reliance on societal norms, that is not necessary for physical disorders. Others, such as Jerome Wakefield see this reliance on societal norms as simply one component of what makes a disease a disease. By applying Wakefield’s theory of disease to the mental disorder Obsessive-compulsive disorder, and conceding and refuting possible objections to this application, I will attempt to show that some mental illnesses are indeed real diseases. Jerome Wakefield invokes a hybrid approach to disease classification,

Read More
415 Words | 2 Pages

DSM-IV: Codes that are identified as psychosocial stressors and Environmental Problems. Those who conducted the interview were individuals who obtain a Bachelor’s degree in social science. In this interview various factors where identify gender, race, and

Read More
577 Words | 3 Pages

DSM Diagnosis: Include behaviors & symptoms consistent with diagnosis. Axis I: 296.21 Major Depressive Disorder; Axis II: none; Axis III: obesity and low back pain; Axis IV: primary relationships and social; Axis V: 30 Background information: John Smith is in his mid-twenties Caucasian male living alone. Recently, he separated from his wife and their 3 children lives with their mother. The patient went to the emergency room for having hallucinations and having suicidal ideation. The patient has an ongoing struggle with depression and suicidal ideation for a couple of years and received outpatient/inpatient treatment during that time.

Read More
1180 Words | 5 Pages

For a demographic and diagnostic distribution of this sample, please see Table 1. As Table 1 shows, the vast majority (about 80%) of patients participating in the study met the criteria for a DSM-IV Axis I disorder, and the majority of patients (about 65%) met the criteria for either an anxiety disorder or a mood disorder. Patients were accepted

Read More
1654 Words | 7 Pages

• These classifications do not account for people who have ‘atypical’ symptoms or those that do not clearly follow the ‘script. • Critics claim that categorical systems reduce humans to one-dimensional sources of data rather than encouraging practitioners to treat the whole person. • Critics also see these systems as tools for social control – giving mental health professionals control over people’s lives. 3. Explain two alternative frameworks for understanding mental distress.

Read More
1311 Words | 6 Pages

The diagnostic tool used by psychologists to classify and distinguish various mental illnesses is the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). One common classification of mental illnesses that are prominent in society are anxiety disorders. Anxiety can be defined as a feeling of worry or being in a negative state; it is characterized by uneasiness, physical tension, and apprehension about the future (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). It induces the flight-or-fight reaction by activating a massive response from the autonomic nervous system as it is connected to fear (Barlow et al, 2015). Since anxiety is a broad spectrum, many disorders can be grouped together to from anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety

Read More

More about Empirically And Etiological-Based Nosology

Related Topics

Open Document