Psychiatric diagnosis and treatment have a long history, with classification systems used to diagnose and treat patients. The American Psychiatric Association and World Health Organization categorize mental health problems, with the DSM and ICD being the most well-known systems. However, there is debate about the efficiency and potential harm of psychiatric classifications.
The diagnosis and treatment of psychiatric disorders has a long and varied history filled with lively debate. Psychiatrists use classification systems to diagnose and treat their patients, and theories of psychiatric treatment have varied in their classification of mental disorders over time. Both the American Psychiatric Association and the World Health Organization categorize mental health problems, and each of their systems share some similar categories and codes. Published systems of psychiatric classification are updated based on new information and changes in psychiatric theories.
Hippocrates produced the first recorded groupings for psychiatric illness. His system was composed of phobias and fears, melancholy – which was probably depression – mania, paranoia and, strangely, transvestism. The rudiments of modern psychiatric diagnosis and treatment began in the early 1800s. The classification systems of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) and the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) were developed in the 20th century and as of November 20 both are being reviewed and updated.
The DSM, released by the American Psychiatric Association, is a well-known psychiatric classification system based on five major areas or axes believed to describe mental disorders. The symptoms in each category help the psychiatrist evaluate a patient and make a diagnosis. Clinical disorders, such as depression and schizophrenia, belong to a main axis. Another major group is personality and developmental disorders, which includes narcissistic personality, obsessive compulsive and antisocial behaviors, as well as mental retardation. Behaviors resulting from medical conditions, such as Alzheimer’s disease and brain injuries, belong in another category.
The World Health Organization also publishes a psychiatric classification system for the diagnosis and treatment of mental conditions. A system for categorizing all types of human disease, the ICD employs ten different groupings to analyze mental disorders. These categories include biological problems affecting mental functioning, behavioral problems, delusional mood disorders, illnesses resulting from substance abuse, mental retardation and developmental problems, and stress-related disorders.
The evolution in psychiatric theory has led to debate about the efficiency of psychiatric classification. Some industry experts argue that the determination of symptoms and diagnosis of mental disorders is too subjective. This may be true, especially since the diagnosis often relies heavily on the patient’s disclosure of symptoms. Some critics of psychiatric classifications argue that they can potentially cause harm to patients by unfairly stigmatizing them and subjecting them to treatments that may not be helpful.
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