Classification of Psychological Disorders - DSM-V Classification

DSM-V is the standard handbook for diagnosing mental disorders in North America (and globally). It lists disorders with population stats, gender differences, and three core symptoms for any mental disorder:

• Disturbances in behaviour, thoughts, or emotions
• Personal distress or impaired functioning
• Internal dysfunctions (biological/psychological roots)

Exam Anxiety Case: Panic attacks (Axis I) + perfectionism (Axis II) + family pressure (Axis IV) + poor sleep (Axis III) = GAF 55

• DSM-V is a standard classification manual used in abnormal psychology and psychiatry to define and describe mental disorders.
• A condition is called a mental disorder when it involves disturbances in behaviour, thoughts, or emotions, along with personal distress and impairment.
• The symptoms must arise from internal dysfunctions with biological or psychological causes.
• Axis I includes major clinical disorders like depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, and substance dependence.
• Axis II covers personality disorders and intellectual disabilities, which are long-term and affect overall functioning.
• Axis III and IV consider general medical conditions and psycho-social/environmental stressors that influence the disorder.
• Axis V (GAF) gives a score from 1–100 to assess overall functioning; lower scores indicate more severe problems.