Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Classification of mental disorders

In general a mental disorder has been characterized as a clinically significant behavioral or psychological outline that occurs in an individual and is usually connected with distress, disability or improved risk of suffering. There is often a criterion that a state should not be expected to occur as part of a person's usual culture or religion. The term "serious mental illness" is occasionally used to refer to more severe and long-lasting disorder. A broad meaning can cover mental disorder, mental retardation, and personality disorder and substance dependence. The phrase "mental health problems" may be used to refer only to milder or added transient issues.

There are currently two widely recognized systems that classify mental disorders “International Classification of Diseases”, shaped by the World Health Organization, and the “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders” shaped by the American Psychiatric Association. Both list categories of disorder and provide uniform criteria for diagnosis. They have purposely converged their codes in recent revision so that the manuals are often broadly comparable, although significant difference remains. Other categorization schemes may be in use more locally, for example the Chinese Classification of Mental Disorders. Other manual may be used by those of alternative theoretical persuasions, for example the Psychodynamic Diagnostic Manual.

Some approach to classification do not employ distinct category based on cut-offs separating the abnormal from the normal. They are variously referred to as spectrum, continuum or dimensional system. There is a important scientific debate about the relative merits of a categorical or a non-categorical scheme. There is also significant argument about the role of science and values in classification scheme, and about the professional, legal and common uses to which they are put.

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