Dsm-5 Classification

The classification system of mental disorders can affect the study of mental illnesses because each mental disorder is categorized differently, leading patients to receive different diagnoses. Two widely enacted systems for classifying mental disorders are Chapter V of the International Classification of Disease (ICD-10) produced by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) produced by the American Psychiatric Association. These systems compile different categories of disorders that share similar codes. However, researchers and scientists have greatly debated these systems and questioned whether certain classifications of disorders are valid. The World Health Organization has stated that there is no consensus on the classification of disorders because many researchers disagree on the conditions that compile a mental disorder. Clearly, as human society has progressed, the concept of mental illness expanded and became more complex The …show more content…
As psychology journals continue to have greater international contributions, having two different major classification systems creates more confusion regarding diagnoses. This confusion is somewhat tempered by the fact that the DSM–IV is used more internationally with researchers than with clinicians; however, this increases the gap between international research and practice. Furthermore, although the DSM-5 is fairly atheoretical, the classification of illnesses allows it to be more openly applied to disorders and clinicians with theoretical backgrounds. However, the atheoretical classification system may fail to explain the power as to the classification of some disorders, which can affect how patients are treated. The classification system is also based on cultural factors but not all cultures. DSM-5 mainly focuses on American research; thus, illnesses from other cultures may be misrepresented and