Classification systems in psychiatry

Classification systems in psychiatry aim at the international standardisation of mental disorders. They therefore provide a common language to all employees in the field, they serve to communicate effectively and make the right diagnosis. Among other things, they also simplify the subsequent epidemiological processing of data.

Classification systems
There are two main approaches used in classification systems: The basic systems used include:
 * Categorical – distinguishes qualitatively different phenomena, which differ from each other in clearly given criteria.
 * Dimensional – determines the extent to which a person expresses a given flag and its frequency.

1) MKN, International Classification of Diseases ( mainly Europe including Czech Republic):
 * 1893 – The international list of causes of death, in Chicago, there were no mental disorders in it yet;
 * 1938 – 5. revision with a chapter "Diseases of the nervous system and sensory organs" containing 4 mental disorders: mental retardation, schizophrenia, manic-depressive psychosis and other mental disorders;
 * 1948 – 6. revision, ICD, separate chapter devoted to psychiatry added, sponsorship taken over by WHO;

2) DSM, Diagnostic and statistical manual (USA):
 * 1952 Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-I) produced by the American Psychiatric Association;
 * America did not like the ICD and its division of mental illnesses - they have a phenomenological categorization - each disorder is defined by a certain number of diagnostic criteria;
 * DSM-III also influenced the 10th revision of the ICD (1993);
 * 2013 current fifth version of DSM-V released.

MKN-10
Also known as ICD-10 ( International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems 10th revision).

In the current classification, the fifth is devoted to psychiatry V. chapters Mental disorders and behavioural disorders. It contains about 1000 categories, codes F00-F99, for viewing here. The long-traded division of disorders into psychoses disappears and neurosis.

Rules of the diagnostic process
The process is three-step:
 * first, specific symptoms (moods, etc.) are collected.);
 * they are grouped into specific syndromes;
 * subsequently, the presence of a certain disease is deduced.

A mental disorder (according to the APA) is a pattern of behaviour that is associated with unpleasant feelings or impairment of function in at least one important area of ​​life.

Related articles

 * International classification of diseases