PSYCHOPATHOLOGY ASSIGNMENT

Q1. Explain the purpose of classification in psychopathology and describe the types of
classification.
Ans. In order to classify psychological disorders we need a classification system.
It also refers to nomenclature, which describes the names and labels that may make up a
particular disorder such as schizophrenia or depression. If we cannot label and order objects or
experiences or behaviors scientists could not communicate with one another and our knowledge
will not advance. Without labeling and organizing patterns of abnormal behavior, researchers
could not communicate their findings to one another, and progress toward understanding and
decision about these disorders would come to a halt. Certain psychological disorders respond
better to one therapy than another or to one drug than another.
Classification also helps clinicians predict behavior. Classification helps researchers identify
populations with similar patterns of abnormal behavior. By classifying groups of people as
depressed, for example, researchers might be able to identify common factors that help explain
the origins of depression. Classification of psychopathology fulfills following five primary
purposes:
1) Communication 2) Control 3) Comprehension 4) Distinction 5) Prognosis/prediction
Psychologists use three approaches or strategies to classify disorders: categorical, dimensional
and prototypical approach.
Categorical Approach : A categorical approach to classification assumes that distinctions
among members of different categories are qualitative. We have one defining criteria, which
everybody in the category or in the group should meet, e. g. Schizophrenia. After a category has
been defined, an object is either a member of the category or it is not.
Dimensional Approach : Dimensional approach to classification describes the objects of
classification in terms of continuous dimensions. For example, on a scale of 1 to 10, a patient
might be rated as severely anxious (10), moderately depressed (5), and mildly manic (2) to create
a profile of emotional functioning (10, 5, 2).
Prototypical Approach : A prototypical approach identifies some essential characteristics of a
disorder and it also allows for certain non-essential variations that do not necessarily change the
classification. With this approach classifying the disorder by different possible features or
properties any candidate must meet (but not all) of them to fall in that category. In depression,
there are five important symptoms such as: depressed mood all day, weight loss, insomnia,
fatigue and feeling of worthlessness. For a person might have three or four of the characteristics
of depression but not all five of them. Yet we still diagnose the person as depressed.

Q2. Clinical features of Delirium.

Ans. The different types of delirium produce different symptoms. Symptoms tend to start
suddenly and get worse over the next few hours or days. A person with delirium may act like
they’re intoxicated. The main symptom is being unable to pay attention. Symptoms tend to
become worse in the evening, which is known as sundowning.
Signs and symptoms of delirium include a decrease in attention span, intermittent confusion,
disorientation, cognitive changes, hallucinations, altered level of consciousness, delusions,
dysphasia, tremors, dysarthria, and a decrease in short-term memory.
PERCEPTUAL DISTURBANCES
Disturbances in reality testing manifested by visual and auditory hallucinations and delusions
may be present. Delusions associated with delirium are likely to be related to disorientation and
memory impairment, and fluctuate with these symptoms.

NEUROLOGIC SIGNS

Several neurologic signs and symptoms may be present in delirium regardless of cause. They
include unsteady gait; tremor; asterixis; myoclonus, paratonia (e.g., gegenhalten) of the limbs
and especially of the neck; difficulty reading and writing; and visuoconstruction problems, such
as copying designs and finding words.

Reduced awareness of the environment

This may result in:

● An inability to stay focused on a topic or to switch topics

● Getting stuck on an idea rather than responding to questions or conversation
● Being easily distracted by unimportant things
● Being withdrawn, with little or no activity or little response to the environment
Poor thinking skills (cognitive impairment)

This may appear as:

● Poor memory, particularly of recent events

● Disorientation — for example, not knowing where you are or who you are
● Difficulty speaking or recalling words
● Rambling or nonsense speech
● Trouble understanding speech
● Difficulty reading or writing
Behavior changes

These may include:

● Seeing things that don't exist (hallucinations)

● Restlessness, agitation or combative behavior
● Calling out, moaning or making other sounds
● Being quiet and withdrawn — especially in older adults
● Slowed movement or lethargy
● Disturbed sleep habits
● Reversal of night-day sleep-wake cycle
Emotional disturbances

These may appear as:

 ● Anxiety, fear or paranoia
● Depression
● Irritability or anger
● A sense of feeling elated (euphoria)
● Apathy
● Rapid and unpredictable mood shifts
● Personality changes
Q3. Difference between ICD and DSM.
Ans.
ICD
Accuracy Although it promptly assists
in data collection, It is
considered to be less accurate
Reliability ICD systems are considered
to be less reliable because
they reject diagnostic criteria
without independent
validation. This leads to
disagreements in diagnosis
Credence
It is an official classification
adopted by many nations
around the world
Purpose ICD is used for classifying all
illness and is used by many
health practitioners
Applicability ICD is popular in WHO
member nations which
include low and middle-
income nations
Coverage ICD is popular in WHO
member nations which
include low and middle-
income nations
DSM
With clinical significance
criteria and specificity in the
description, it is considered to
be far more accurate
As operational criteria were
introduced, the system is
considered more reliable in a
statistical context
As operational criteria were
introduced, the system is
considered more reliable in a
statistical context
DSM is used particularly by
psychiatrists as it represents
code set for all mental
disorders
DSM is the first choice for
psychiatric health in high-
income nations
DSM provides operational
criteria which distinct
definitions for each condition