Abnormal psychology and DSM-5

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changes that were made from DSM-IV to DSM-5

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) was out in mid-2013 after being reformed from DSM-IV-TR. DSM-IV had various weaknesses that contributed to changes to DSM-5 to allow further development. To begin with, DSM-IV critically had concerns on the category classification of disorders and its high rates of occurrence as well as comorbidity. While in DSM-5, the category approach was retained as the organizational structure changed so as to simplify the psychological and biological relationship within disorders together with their frequency across the lifespan.

The DSM5 discontinued multiaxial system, Axes I-III were incorporated into a monoaxial system so as to asses’ environment and psychosocial. This enhances focus on dimensional approach as well as simplifying modifications that allows neurobiological and genetically factors in DSM-V. DSM-V has structured diagnosis from order of early child hood to adolescence and then to adulthood Change of names in The DSM-V such as “intellectual disability” instead of “mental retardation” which was used in the DSM-IV-TR. The clinicians the saw a mentally retarded person had deficient in IQ which was not true. The Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) now comprises the previous four separate and different disorders of Asperger’s Disorder, Autistic Disorder, Pervasive Developmental Disorder and Childhood Disintegrative Disorder. With high rate of ASD diagnosis modern increase in ASD diagnoses, the change has been contentious since it influences the type of services that are available to those with this analysis. moreover, ADHD norms now permits application across the lifetime and a lower onset for making the diagnosis (Breland & et.al, 2016).

The role of DSM-5 in making a diagnosis. Why is it used?

DSM-5 determines accurate diagnosis firstly concerning being able to properly treat any type of medical condition as well as mental disorders. DSM-5 assists in measuring the effectiveness of treatment, as dimensional assessments and assists clinicians to asses’ changes in rigorous levels as a reaction to treatment.DSM-5 is compatible with the HIPAA and is used by insurance companies for diagnosing mental disorder instantly. It has code of numbers in ICD that is used in DSM-5 required for insurance compensation and for observing morbidity and transience statistics by health agencies. DSM-5 provides a major language of descriptive text for clinicians to connect about their patients and establish reliable and consistent diagnoses. DSM gives descriptions, indications, and other measures for diagnosing mental disorders (Kring& et.al, 2014).

how to make a diagnosis using DSM-5 if you were a counsellor? How do you ensure that you do not misdiagnose your client?

The counsellor makes a good relationship with the client to promote the diagnosis and to encourage the client to come for the next visits. the meeting is freighted with anticipations that are overstated with good or bad mood. each diagnostic evaluation is vital for the patient and for the counsellor. The focus should always be on the patient’s need to be listened and understood. The counsellor must Make Diagnosis to be a Team Effort that displays one’s empathy and provides education and information to the patient to him feel enlighten as he walks away. The counsellor should be able to Sustain Balance in the First Moments without jumping into diagnostic conclusions (Kring& et.al, 2014).

The counsellor should give the patient freedom to express himself to bring out the patient’s presentation with the guide of a checklist questions in order to achieve efficiency and reliability. The questions should be of closed ended and open-ended range. After listening to the patient carefully the counsellor should choose the correct branch of diagnostic tree to climb. He should be able to place the symptoms amongst the most applicable of the wide-ranging categories. The use of screened questions to give a semi structured interviews is the surest way towards a comprehensive accurate and reliable diagnosis. A patient should have at least 2 additional conditions of Psychiatric symptoms before considering his condition as mental disorder. These symptoms should cause Clinical Significance of distress or impairment. One should Conduct a Risk–Benefit Analysis that weighs the positives and negatives of giving such diagnosis. He should counter check if the diagnosis has been proven effective and safe. One should be patient while making Diagnostic impressions since they are hypotheses still to be tested. One should be cautious and constantly test any subjective judgments. He should Document his thoughts when he provides a clear justification for his conclusions as he forms them (Breland & et.al, 2016).

References

Breland-Noble, A. M., Al-Mateen, C. S., & Singh, N. N. (2016). Handbook of mental health in African American youth.

Introduction. (n.d.). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition. doi:10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596.144896

Kring, A. M., Johnson, S. L., Davison, G. C., & Naele, J. M. (2014). Wiley International Edition (12th ed.). John Wiley& sons. ISBN: 978-1-118-96433-0