What is the primary purpose of the ICD-10 in mental health classification?

• To provide standardized psychiatric diagnostic criteria for North America

• To integrate mental and physical health disorders for global applicability

• To focus primarily on neuroscientific research

• To define mental disorders based on aetiology

Answer explanation

The primary purpose of ICD-10 is to integrate mental and physical health disorders for global applicability, ensuring a comprehensive classification system that can be used internationally.

Which classification system emphasizes a neuroscientific and dimensional approach to mental disorders?

• ICD-10

• DSM-5

• RDoC

• DSM-5-TR

Answer explanation

The RDoC (Research Domain Criteria) framework emphasizes a neuroscientific and dimensional approach to understanding mental disorders, focusing on biological, psychological, and social factors, unlike the categorical systems like ICD-10 and DSM.

What is a major limitation of the DSM-5?

• It lacks symptom descriptions

• It is not used in clinical practice

• It has a rigid categorical structure that may lead to over-pathologization

• It integrates neurobiological research more than any other model

Answer explanation

The DSM-5's rigid categorical structure can lead to over-pathologization, as it may classify normal variations in behavior as mental disorders, potentially resulting in unnecessary diagnoses and treatment.

Which challenge is associated with setting diagnostic thresholds in DSM-5 and ICD-10?

• They allow for early identification of mental health disorders

• They can exclude individuals with subclinical symptoms

• They emphasize biological mechanisms over symptom clusters

• They fully integrate cultural perspectives into diagnostic frameworks

Answer explanation

Setting diagnostic thresholds can exclude individuals with subclinical symptoms, which may overlook those who need help but do not meet full criteria, limiting access to care.

What key advantage does RDoC offer in addressing comorbidity?

• It recognizes shared underlying factors across different disorders

• It eliminates the need for clinical assessment

• It simplifies treatment by focusing only on symptom clusters

• It provides a standardized global diagnostic code

Answer explanation

RDoC's key advantage in addressing comorbidity is its recognition of shared underlying factors across different disorders, allowing for a more integrated understanding and treatment approach.

What distinguishes DSM-5-TR from DSM-5?

• It replaces categorical classification with a fully dimensional model

• It includes updates based on new research and diagnostic refinements

• It eliminates outdated disorders such as schizophrenia

• It removes the concept of personality disorders

Answer explanation

The DSM-5-TR includes updates based on new research and diagnostic refinements, enhancing the accuracy and relevance of mental health diagnoses compared to the DSM-5.

Which of the following is a key weakness of ICD-10 in classifying mental health disorders?

• It overemphasizes biological markers

• It lacks cultural sensitivity and is not globally recognized

• It is criticized for broad categories that sometimes rely on clinical judgment

• It only applies to psychiatric settings and not general healthcare

Answer explanation

The key weakness of ICD-10 in classifying mental health disorders is that it is criticized for broad categories that sometimes rely on clinical judgment, which can lead to inconsistencies in diagnosis.

What are some ethical or social concerns related to shifting from categorical to dimensional classifications in low- and middle-income countries?

• Accessibility to advanced training may be limited

• It allows for the inclusion of more individuals with mild symptoms

• It ensures that all mental health conditions are treated equally

• It completely removes financial constraints in mental health care

Answer explanation

Shifting to dimensional classifications may require advanced training for accurate implementation. In low- and middle-income countries, such training may be limited, impacting the effectiveness of mental health care.

What does the concept of hypocognition refer to in psychiatric classification?

• The overrepresentation of a disorder in a specific culture

• The absence of linguistic or conceptual categories for certain mental health concepts within a culture

• The process of diagnosing mental health conditions based on only physical symptoms

• A universal method for diagnosing disorders across all cultures

Answer explanation

Hypocognition refers to the absence of linguistic or conceptual categories for certain mental health concepts within a culture, making it difficult for individuals to recognize or articulate their mental health issues.

How might integrating RDoC principles influence the future development of the ICD and DSM?

• It would remove all symptom-based diagnostic criteria

• It would emphasize biologically informed diagnoses and improve comorbidity recognition

• It would abandon classification of mental disorders entirely

• It would standardize mental health diagnoses worldwide without cultural adaptations

Answer explanation

Integrating RDoC principles would emphasize biologically informed diagnoses, enhancing the understanding of mental disorders and improving recognition of comorbid conditions, which is crucial for effective treatment.