The DSM-IV

The DSM-IV is an important tool for clinicians. It provides a standard for diagnoses to be standardized across psychology; however, the DSM-IV is not as precise for diagnosing personality disorders as some psychologists would like.

Give an example of each of the following problems identified in your readings and explain how these problems could negatively affect a diagnosis.

1. Some criteria used for reaching a diagnosis cannot be observed directly.

Particular patient study has to take place in most circumstances so that the clinicians can increase info about the patient’s indicators that may not be instantly noticeable in the clinical situation. If this exterior particular info is not collected by the clinician a misdiagnosis may be completed. Particular facts may contain info about the patient’s character, manners or a patient’s responses to certain circumstances, indicators that only show in a particular environment and info that cannot be gathered straight from the patient due their incapability or unwillingness to communicate with the clinician openly. An instance would be a patient who presents with avoidant character disorder doubts might be identified as having social fear, when they really are feeling a different illness. Misdiagnosis may have serious concerns if suitable management, treatments or medicines are used.

2. Personality disorders can be similar to each other.

There are numerous symptoms that overlay between different illnesses in DSM group listings. The clinician’s individual explanations may lead to misdiagnosis amongst one of these two illnesses if the clinician trusts only on info collected in the clinical situation. For example obsessive-compulsive disorder, an anxiety disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder, a personality disorder has numerous indications in common. In this circumstance, a clinician could grasp a deceptive analysis in this circumstance. The misdiagnosis would chief to improper management modalities, inappropriate medicine and may bring about a deterioration of the patient’s disorder.

3. People with different personalities can be given the same diagnosis

The DSM criteria can be understood as personality disorders rather than a change in personality styles. For example, a person who shows a personality that is both detailed and thorough may be identified as obsessive-compulsive. A person who is firm and self-assured may be diagnosed as a narcissist.

4. Do you think that personality disorders are true mental illnesses? Why or why not?

Yes I do believe that it is a true mental illness. Unless the person is just faking it. I don’t see how someone can just have a personality disorder without something actually being wrong with them. Some kind of trauma or chemical imbalance had to or has to be happening in order for a person to experience this disorder.