1. 6.1 Psychopathology

2. Cut and Stick activity

3. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder (Edition 5), was last published in 2013.
The DSM is produced by the American Psychiatric Association.
It is the most widely used diagnostic tool in psychiatric institutions around the world.
isorder (Edition 4), was last published in 1994.
DSM- IV
In 1952, when the first DSM was published there were 106 identifiable mental disorders.
Now there are over 300

4. ICD - 10
There is also the International Statistical Classification of Diseases (known as ICD).
It is produced by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and is currently in it’s 10th edition. This is used in the UK

5. Reliability and Validity
Psychiatrists used manuals to diagnose mental disorders.
We can question how reliable and valid it is to use this kind of manual, as well as the influence of cultural & gender issues in the diagnosis of mental disorders.

6. Evaluation of the DSM Strengths
Allows for common diagnosis (although many revisions) because it has stood the test of time. When 2 or more doctors use the DSM, they should come close to the same diagnosis.
One study that tested the reliability of diagnosis bbetween DSM-II and DSM-III is Goldstein (1988). She found there was evidence of reliabiltiy within the DSM-III (but less so between DSM-II and DSM-III)

7. Evaluation of the DSM Weaknesses
The DSM is seen as a confirmation of the medical state of mental disorder, as suffers are ‘patients’ and ‘treatment’ is suggested.
Mental health issues are ‘disorders’ and ‘illnesses’ so ‘cures’ are looked for.
However, it might be said that some mental disorders are simply ways of living, and who is to say whether it is ‘illness’ or not.

8. Reliability and the diagnosis of mental disorders
The DSM’s reliability rests on the question of whether one person’s set of symptoms would lead to a common diagnosis by different physicians.
If different doctors give different diagnosis for the same set of symptoms (e.g. for the same person), then the diagnosis is not reliable and the treatment may not work.

9. Issues to think about Cultural relativism Gender Bias Co-morbidity
Symptom overlap
Differences in ICD and DSM
Can you think of any others?