Psychology › Section O · Psychological disorders › Topic O.2
How disorders are classified
Before disorders can be studied or treated, professionals need a shared, carefully defined vocabulary for them, and two manuals provide it. This topic is for education only, not for diagnosing yourself or anyone else; if you are worried about your mental health, see a qualified professional.
In this topic
- Why classification matters
- The DSM and what each entry contains
- How the DSM has changed
- The ICD-11
- How common are disorders?
- Comorbidity
- Worked example: reading a prevalence figure
- Criticisms of the system
- Worked example: the bereavement debate
- Labels: benefits and risks
- Common mistakes to avoid
- Key takeaways
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