Appendix G
University of Phoenix Material
Appendix G
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.
When Diagnosing patients it can be different to gather all of the criteria needed during observations. Sitting face-to-face with a patient and talking to them over the phone is two different experiences and you get two very different bits of information you need. For example of this would be a suicidal person. Sitting face-to-face you can see all signs of a suicidal person and it is easier to help them because you are able to call them help without worrying about what they are doing while you are talking to them unlike you would on the telephone.
2. Personality disorders can be similar to each other.
Personality disorders can be very similar in their symptoms which can be tough to diagnose them properly. Misdiagnoses are more likely to occur when the information is not coming from the patient first hand and is instead coming from a parent or guardian.
3. People with different personalities can be given the same diagnosis
Each person is different so therefore one person’s symptoms may not be the same as another person. The DSM-IV does not account for a person’s individuality. An individual’s personality affects how they react to different situations in life, this can lead to a misdiagnosis by a clinician, this is something the DSM-IV does not take into consideration.
4. Do you think that personality disorders are true mental illnesses? Why or why not?
I do believe that personality disorders are true mental illnesses because I
Appendix G
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.
When Diagnosing patients it can be different to gather all of the criteria needed during observations. Sitting face-to-face with a patient and talking to them over the phone is two different experiences and you get two very different bits of information you need. For example of this would be a suicidal person. Sitting face-to-face you can see all signs of a suicidal person and it is easier to help them because you are able to call them help without worrying about what they are doing while you are talking to them unlike you would on the telephone.
2. Personality disorders can be similar to each other.
Personality disorders can be very similar in their symptoms which can be tough to diagnose them properly. Misdiagnoses are more likely to occur when the information is not coming from the patient first hand and is instead coming from a parent or guardian.
3. People with different personalities can be given the same diagnosis
Each person is different so therefore one person’s symptoms may not be the same as another person. The DSM-IV does not account for a person’s individuality. An individual’s personality affects how they react to different situations in life, this can lead to a misdiagnosis by a clinician, this is something the DSM-IV does not take into consideration.
4. Do you think that personality disorders are true mental illnesses? Why or why not?
I do believe that personality disorders are true mental illnesses because I