Classification Systems

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Classification Systems

Abnormal Psychology
Classification Systems
● Identify patterns of behavioural or mental symptoms that consistently occur together to form a disorder
● In the USA, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders,
published by the American Psychiatric Association (DSM-5) is used.
● A standardized system for diagnosis based on factors such as the
person’s clinical and medical conditions, psychosocial stressors and
the extent to which a person’s mental state interferes with his or
her daily life.
● It is developed for American psychiatrists and is used mainly in the USA.
It contains descriptions, symptoms, and other criteria for diagnosing
mental disorders.
● The World Health Organization has published the
International Classification of Diseases [ICD].
● It is developed by a global health agency and it is distributed as broadly as possible at a very low cost.
ATL: Research and Critical Thinking

A Chinese Classification of Mental Disorders [CCMD] has also been


developed but Chinese psychiatrists also use the ICD-10 manual.

A key difference between the CCMD and the Western classification


systems is that it contains diagnostic criteria for disorders that are
specific to Chinese culture.

One of the disorders specified by the CCMD-2 is qigong deviation


syndrome – also called zou huo ru mo.

Do some research on this disorder.

To what extent is this disorder rooted in Chinese culture?

What are the similarities between this disorder and Western disorders?
Comparing Classification Systems

Disorders:

✓ Major Depressive Disorder


(MDD)
✓ Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
(PTSD)
✓ Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
(OCD)
Advantages and Limitations of Classification Systems

Important Reading-

https://www.verywellmind.com/dsm-friend-or-foe-2671930

Homework-

Read the research by Bolton 2002 and make notes on the


limitations of the use of classification systems.
Limitations of using a classification system include, but are not limited to:

● Its use results in the psychiatrist not considering cultural or social factors that
may be highly relevant
● It may be considered an oversimplification, reducing the continuum of human
behaviour to labels.
● The concept of mental illness is "medicalized." This may also lead to stigma.
● A potential for over-diagnosis, in which people are labeled as having a disorder
based on a new addition to the guide. For example, the addition of ADHD in the
DSM III and IV coincided with a significant increase in the number of children
diagnosed and treated with Ritalin. Are we better at diagnosing? Or has the
guide led to more diagnosis of something that is perhaps not a problem?
● Decisions are made in the creation of the guide that reflect current political and
health care realities.
Diagnosis is accomplished through a formal standardized
clinical interview—a checklist of questions to ask each patient.
This interview can be supplemented by interviews with the
patient’s relatives.
There are several limitations of relying on a clinical interview
for diagnosis:
Diagnosing ● The individual is automatically labeled as a
“patient.”This means that the psychiatrist is
Psychological Disorders “looking for evidence of abnormal behaviour.”
This assumption that if a person is seeking
assistance, s/he must have a mental disorder is
known as sick role bias.
● The fact that the person is being observed or
asked personal questions may increase anxiety
and therefore change or intensify behaviour. This
is called reactivity. This may then be seen by the
psychiatrist as further evidence of dysfunctional
symptoms.
● A clinician’s unique style, degree of experience,
and the theoretical orientation will definitely
affect the interview.
Psychiatrists refer to the ABCS when describing symptoms of a disorder-
Affective symptoms: emotional elements, including fear, sadness, anger
Behavioural symptoms: observational behaviours, such as crying, physical withdrawal
from others, and pacing
Cognitive symptoms: ways of thinking, including pessimism, personalization, and self-
image
Somatic symptoms: physical symptoms, including facial twitching, stomach cramping
and changes in weight.
How culture affects
diagnosis...

Challenges and Rewards of a culturally-informed approach to mental health

Cultural differences in Diagnosis:


Parker et al (2001)
Even though there is a logical argument for why "gender dysphoria" is listed in the DSM 5 as
a disorder, how do you think it would affect you to know that your gender identity/sexual
identity was considered a disorder? What potential role would that play in your life?

Important reading:
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/where-transgender-is-no-longer-a-diagnosis/
Important Link:
Changes in the New Edition of DSM
https://www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/practice/dsm/edu
cational-resources/dsm-5-fact-sheets
● https://www.thinkib.net/psychology/page/22453/classification-systems
● https://www.thinkib.net/psychology/page/27275/alp-12-classification-systems
● Oxford IB Psychology Course Companion

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