lesson 2 classifying mental disorders

Lesson 2: Classifying Mental Disorders

Tuesday, 10 July 2012

Lesson 1: Normality EXAM QUESTION

a) Define the ‘historical approach’ to defining normality

b) Provide an example of this approach

1 + 1 = 2 marks


Lesson 1: Normality EXAM Answer

a) Define the ‘historical approach’ to defining normality

What is considered normal or abnormal in a society depends on the era/period of time when the judgement is made

b) Provide an example of this approach

School students used to get hit on the knuckles with a cain when they misbehaved, now this would be considered abnormal or wrong!

1 + 1 = 2 marks


Classification is the organisation of items into groups on the basis of their common properties.

What are some ways in which you could classify potato chips? Rank them in order of

importance.

What are some ways in which you could classify shoes? Rank them in order of

importance.

What are some ways in which mental disorders could be classified? Rank them in

order of importance.


There are two main approaches to classifying mental conditions and disorders:

Categorical & Dimensional

Both have their strengths and limitations


Categorical Approaches

Yes or No approach

Focus on deciding whether there is a presence or absence of a mental disorder

Either have it or not

Black or white - no grey areas


Categorical Systems

Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)

International Classification of Disease (ICD)

American Psychiatric Association (APA)

World Health Organisation (WHO)


Categorical approaches like the DMC and ICD organise and describe mental conditions in terms of

different categories and subcategories, each with symptoms and characteristics that are typical of

specific mental conditions and disorders.

Can you think of another example that adopts a categorical approach?


Can you think of any reasons why it could be

helpful to classify mental disorders into

categories?

How might it be unhelpful?


Dimensional Approaches

classify based on how much a symptom is presenting

ranges from very low to very high

Focus on ranking or grading a person’s symptoms on one or more continuos quantitative dimensions in terms of their

severity or degree.Tuesday, 10 July 2012

The table below simplifies the approaches using Depression as an example


Which approach is most valid?

Which approach is the most reliable?

Why/Why not?


Essential Learning Activities

DMC review Questions 1 - 4

ICD review Questions 1 & 2

1. Explain the meaning of the phrase ‘categorical approach to the classification of mental disorders’.2. What are the underlying assumptions and principles of the categorical approach? Explain with reference to examples.3. Why is it important that categorical approaches are valid and reliable?4. a) What is the DSM, who is it created for and what is it used for?b) How many major categories of mental disorders does the current DSM have?c) What is the common purpose of diagnostic, inclusion, exclusion and polythetic criteria?d) Explain the meaning of the terms course and prevalence in relation to a mental disorder.e) Name each of the five axes in the DSM and briefly describe the type of information provided in each axis for classification and/or diagnostic purposes.f) What significant information about mental disorders is not provided in the DSM?

1. a) What is the ICD-10, who is it prepared for and what is it used for?b) Name the ICD chapter that specifically relates to mental disorders.c) Name the Australian version of the ICD.d) How many major categories of mental and behavioural disorders does the ICD-10 have? e What are diagnostic guidelines and what are they used for? 2. Construct a table in which you compare key similarities and differences of the DSM and ICD-10.


lesson 2 classifying mental disorders

Health & Medicine