Understanding Psychology (10th Ed)

DSM-IV-TR: 
 DETERMINING DIAGNOSTIC DISTINCTIONS 
Over the years, mental health professionals have developed many different classifi ca-
tion systems that vary in terms of their utility and the degree to which they have 
been accepted. However, one standard system, devised by the American Psychiatric 
Association, has emerged in the United States. Most professionals today use this 
classifi cation system, known as the
 
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental 
Disorders,
 Fourth Edition, Text Revision (
DSM-IV-TR
) 
to diagnose and classify 
abnormal behavior. 
DSM-IV-TR presents comprehensive and relatively precise defi nitions for more 
than 200 disorders divided into 17 major categories. It also includes fi ve types of 
information, known as axes, which have to be considered in assessing a patient: 
•
Axis I: Clinical Disorders.
Disorders that produce distress and impair 
functioning.
•
Axis II: Personality Disorders and Mental Retardation.
Enduring, rigid 
behavior patterns.
•
Axis III: General Medical Conditions.
Physical disorders that may be related 
to psychological disorders.
•
Axis IV: Psychosocial and Environmental Problems.
Problems in a person’s 
life such as stressors or life events that may affect the diagnosis, treatment, 
and outcome of psychological disorders.
•
Axis V: Global Assessment of Functioning.
Overall level of mental, social, 
occupational, and leisure functioning.

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of 
Mental Disorders,
 Fourth Edition, 
Text Revision (
DSM-IV-TR
)
A system, 
devised by the American Psychiatric 
Association, used by most profession-
als to diagnose and classify abnormal 
behavior.
“First off, you’re not a nut. You’re a legume.”
© Arnie L
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