DSM-V Definition Quiz

Mental Disorders and the DSM-V

• According to the DSM-V, a mental disorder is not merely an expectable response to a particular event.

Characteristics of Mental Disorders

• The primary characteristic of a mental disorder is a syndrome, which is a cluster of cognitive, emotional, or behavioral symptoms.
• A syndrome is a set of symptoms that occur together and are associated with a particular disorder.

Factors Underlying Mental Functioning

• A behavioral syndrome is not considered a factor underlying mental functioning according to the DSM-V.

Definition of a Syndrome

• A syndrome is a set of symptoms that occur together and are associated with a particular disorder.

Syndrome vs. Disease or Illness

• A syndrome differs from a disease or illness in that it does not imply a specific cause or pathology.

Purpose of the Term 'Syndrome'

• The DSM-V uses the term 'syndrome' to define psychological disorders to emphasize the cluster of symptoms rather than a specific cause.

Clinically Significant Disturbance

• The term 'clinically significant disturbance' was introduced in the DSM-III to emphasize that a disorder must cause distress or impairment.
• The inclusion of this term led to a decrease in the number of disorders that were considered specific entities.

Thresholds in Diagnosing Psychological Disorders

• Different thresholds (e.g., severity, duration) can affect the diagnosis of psychological disorders.

Dysfunction in the DSM-V

• Dysfunction has been defined in the DSM-V as a disturbance in cognitive, emotional, or behavioral function.

Purpose of the Term 'Usually'

• The term 'usually' is used in the DSM-V to indicate that a particular criterion is not always required for a diagnosis.

Harm Requirement in the DSM-V

• Unlike previous versions, the DSM-V does not require harm to oneself or others as a necessary criterion for a disorder.