Psychology 350
Psychopathology

Dr. Salvatore (Sam) Catanzaro
Executive Associate Dean, College of Arts and Sciences
Professor of Psychology

Illinois State University

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The most commonly cited muddy points had to do with various aspects of the multiaxial system of the DSM-IV. In addition to the lecture, I refer you to the text's discussion of this on pp. 58-60; see especially the example, in Box 2-2. As a review, here are the main points:

• Each Axis is used to code a particular type of information that is thought to be useful in treatment.
  
• Axes I and II are used for the mental disorders.
  
• Axis I is used for almost all of the conditions you think of when you think of mental disorders.
  
• Axis II is used for mental disorders that reflect more general and chronic problems: personality disorders and mental retardation.
  
• The remaining Axes are used to ensure that consideration is given to the person's medical condition, environmental circumstances, and level of functioning.

I hope that this helps. Still have a question? Send me an e-mail by clicking here. The subject header has been set to "PSY 350 DSM."

http://www.cas.ilstu.edu/psychology/catanzar/Psy350Handouts/DSM_mud.html

Salvatore J. Catanzaro, Illinois State University, Department of Psychology