The DSM The DSM is a classification tool written by the APA (American Psychiatric Association) and is therefore used mainly in the USA. It is currently on issue 5 (DSM-V). It is a multi-axial tool that is used by clinicians to classify what mental disorder a patient has. The five axis are as follows: Axis 1: all mental disorders apart from those listed on Axis 2 Axis 2: personality disorders, developmental disorders and mental retardation Axis 3: physical health issues Axis 4: Environmental or psychosocial issues Axis 5: Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) 1-100 number given to rate the level of functioning

The ICD The ICD stands for the International Classification of Diseases and is written by the WHO (World Health Organisation). It helps to classify all diseases, not just mental disorders, although mental disorders feature in one of it’s “families.” The disorders are categorised using letters and numbers and details the symptoms that the patient might present. The clinician uses the system to guide their diagnosis through a clinical interview with the patient.

Comparing the ICD and DSM Differences: The ICD is used internationally, and was published by WHO (World Health Organisation) whilst the DSM was created by the American Psychological Association and is used primarily in the USA. Often, British research tends to use the DSM in order to fit in with American research, as most psychological research that is published and widely known is conduced in the US. What it includes. The ICD is a much larger manual and encompasses all types of disorders; only chapter V is relevant for mental disorders. The DSM is purely for mental disorders. The DSM requires the psychiatrist to evaluate the patient in five axes whilst the ICD is more symptom-based, and it also includes more groups of mental disorders with 10 in total.      ICD: includes 10 groups such as delusional disorders, mood disorders, etc. and clinical/personality disorders are part of the same group. DSM: uses 5 axis (see DSM notes)

Evaluating DSM and ICD General evaluation of the DSM/ICD Both models are reductionist, but the ICD considers physical health as well as just mental health so is the least reductionist of the two. Both are culturally biased, as they are written by Western Cultures for Western Cultures so may cause bias in diagnosis if used in other countries. Both are useful, as they can be used to categorise a patient’s symptoms and give a diagnosis, that can then lead to treatments, hopefully improving the quality of life for the patient. Both have some level of subjectivity, clinician bias, differences in training and patient factors can cause the symptoms to be presented and perceived in a way that can cause subjectivity in the clinician.