Discuss the DSM classification system. What new information is included in the DSM-5?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders is the dominant classification system for abnormal behavior in the United States and in some other countries. It guides the clinician in diagnosing an individual and acquiring related useful information. The DSM's classification scheme, developed by Emil Kraepelin, has traditionally been a categorical system. This approach however, does not account for the many disorders, such as depression and anxiety, which have overlapping symptoms and cannot be distinguished from one another in terms of etiology or laboratory findings. The most recent edition of the DSM is the DSM-5, which provides distinct categories, indicators, and nomenclature for different patterns of behavior, thought processes, and emotional disturbances. The DSM-5 also introduces a dimensional approach to diagnosis for some disorders and it acknowledges that most disorders involve a continuum of symptom severity. This dimensional approach to diagnosis allows for a more enriched understanding of abnormal behavior than with the categorical diagnostic system alone. This perspective conceptualizes disorders and symptoms in varying degrees. Dimensional ratings such as "none," "slight," "mild," "moderate," or "severe" enable clinicians to rate the degree of symptom severity. Although the DSM-5 has received criticism, it does provide clear diagnostic guidelines that incorporate both categorical and dimensional measures. The intention for the move towards dimensional ratings and inclusion of milder forms of disorders in the DSM-5 is to improve reliability, validity, and clinical utility of the DSM. The DSM-5 continues to emphasize cross-cultural assessment as the previous DSM-IV-TR edition did. It has an introductory section that places diagnosis within a cultural context. If culture, age, or gender have been shown to influence the behavioral features of a disorder, they are listed. Finally, it offers guidelines for sensitively addressing the cultural backgrounds of clients.