Abstract
The paper discusses the DSM-IV, the standard classification system for mental disorders and explains that its intent is to systematically identify mental disorders consistently throughout the medical profession in the United States. The paper explains the three major parts to the DSM-IV: diagnostic classification, diagnostic criteria and descriptive text, and discusses each in turn.

From the Paper
""I am Sam" is a drama film distributed in 2001 and tells the story of an autistic father and his efforts to obtain custody of his daughter after she has been taken away from him by social workers (Nelson, 2001). Sam Dawson is a special needs autistic adult who is attempting to raise his daughter alone. Lucy (daughter) was was born to same and a homeless woman--the mother left Sam and Lucy the day after Lucy's birth wanting nothing to do with either one. Until the age of 7 Lucy lived with her father in a caring and loving environment--all of Lucy's physical and..."

Tags:mse, dsm, iv, sam

Abstract
This paper discusses the importance of classification in the psychiatric field. It begins by providing a brief historical review of classification in psychiatry. It then discusses how DSM-IV contributes to health care and the entire medical field.

From the Paper
"Diagnosis is the foundation of all medical practices (Berrios, 1995). In recent years, the medical industry has experienced a revolution in medicine's ability to identify and treat the illnesses that burden humanity. The psychiatric industry, which specializes in treating mental illnesses, has been a key participant in this revolution, identifying new diagnostic measures and systems of classification for many psychiatric disorders."

Tags:disorder, treatment

Abstract
This paper is a psychological report written as an exercise based on public information about a hypothetical public figure. The writer describes the fictitious patient in detail, giving her personal history and background. The DSM-IV-TR multiaxial assessment process in which an individual's symptoms are classified based on a five axis model, is used to determine that the patient suffers from substance abuse, bipolar II disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). The treatment prescribed for the patient is cognitive behavioral therapy, and the writer explains in detail what it will entail. The writer concludes with suggestions for further treatment.

Outline:
Part I - Basic Information
Part II - Referral Context
Part III - Disclosure Statement
Part IV - Pertinent Background Information
Academic History
Substance Abuse History
Trauma History
Family History
Past experiences in Counseling
Part V - Behavioural Observations / Validity Results / Clinical Interview
Part VI - Diagnosis & Cause of Problem
Part VII - Treatment Recommendations
Goals
Therapist Function and Role
Interventions
Part VIII - Impressions & Recommendations

From the Paper
"Kitty is a public figure of some sorts, as she is the wife of a previous presidential candidate. Kitty has spoken publicly about the difficulties people in the public eye have in seeking mental health treatment and in fact has admitted that she is happy her husband did not win the presidential election in 1988 because she feels that that would have further impeded her ability to seek help for her serious substance abuse problem at the time. Because of Kitty's role as a public figure, confidentiality is of the utmost concern. Confidentiality is always an important part of the therapeutic process, but in Kitty's case she requires additional acknowledgement that the relationship she has with her therapist is confidential. During our initial session I reviewed a formal informed consent with her, which covered the issues of confidentiality specifically related to her situation."

Tags:psychoanalysis, mental health, depression catastrophic negative manageable homework, diet pill, family

Abstract
The purpose of this research paper is to identify one of the classifications in the DSM IV using one of the cases in the book, "The Transcendent Child" by Lillian B. Rubin, to fit the diagnosis.

Abstract
In this paper, the writer looks at a Mexican American couple who visit a professional regarding the wife's recent suicide attempt. The writer notes that the wife is an attractive, meticulously dressed woman. The writer also points out that she mentions that she attempted to take her life as her only recourse to escape her husband's constant, verbally abusive demands that she lose weight. The writer explains that the husband comments that all he ever asked her when they got married was to stay thin and be faithful. He thinks that she purposely gained weight after their second child, just to spite him. This paper discusses the writer's diagnostic impressions of the wife. Further, the writer offers goals and treatment suggestions for both the wife and family. This paper includes approximately twenty pages of source copies.

From the Paper
"It is important to discuss the symptomology behind each one of these Axis diagnoses, in order to better understand why it is believed that these are the issues and problems that the wife must deal with. The most significant of these, however, are the depression and the post traumatic stress disorder that the wife is dealing with, because these are the problems that must be addressed first and that appear to be the most serious where she is concerned. For the family, however, the Axis IV diagnosis of the wife must be addressed, because the wife is having problems with her social and family network due to the berating and verbal abuse that she is taking from her husband.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can usually be seen as a delayed reaction to some type of traumatic event that usually is psychological in nature. This type of trauma is outside of the normal human experience and can include some type of accident or natural disaster, psychological or physical abuse, terrorism, and war."

Tags:depressive, disorder, trauma, abuse, suffering

Abstract
The paper outlines how this chapter from the DSM-IV Guidebook examines a number of conceptual issues related to psychiatry and how a practicing psychiatrist should approach a diagnosis of a particular mental disease. The paper specifically summarizes the two sub-headings, the authors' discussion of the term "mental disorder", descriptive syndromal diagnosis and the reasons why mental disorders are even classified in the first place. Finally, the paper looks at the authors' caution that users must be flexible and clinically practical when diagnosing any mental illness, not taking DSM-IV rules and paradigms beyond their own clinical judgment and experience.

From the Paper
"The first sub-heading "Epistemology of the Diagnostic Endeavor" offers a simple analogy to the psychiatrist in the form of umpires who see balls and strikes in a game of baseball as very different in terms of epistemology or the "study of the nature of knowledge and how it is experienced and organized in the human mind" (Denison, 2003, p. 245). Thus, the nature of reality and knowledge, at least for the psychiatrist, "has profound implications for understanding the nature of psychiatric classification" (DSM-IV Guidebook, 1995, p. 14) regarding how to approach a diagnosis of a mental illness in a patient. Overall, one might ask the question, "Do psychiatric disorders exist as entities in nature (i.e., occurring naturally) or do they arise as mental constructs created in the minds of the classifiers?" (DSM-IV Guidebook, 1995, p. 14).
"The second sub-heading explores the definition of a mental disorder which Walter D. Glanze sees as "any disturbance of emotional equilibrium as manifested in maladaptive behavior and impaired functioning," caused by genetics, physical, chemical, biological, psychologic and/or cultural/social factors (2000, p. 741). According to the DSM-IV guidebook, a mental disorder is merely a human concept which "lacks a consistent operational definition that covers all situations" which might arise in the office of a psychiatrist. In other words, a mental illness, such as schizophrenia, bi-polar/depression, ADHD or some type of disorder associated with substance abuse, cannot be fully diagnosed by simply relying upon poorly-defined psychological entities or constructs which oftentimes only discuss traditional ideas of Western culture related to biology, treatment and testing."

Tags:mental, disorders, classification

Abstract
The paper describes how the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision (DSM IV-TR) put forth the following criteria for diagnosing a specific phobia: exaggerated, irrational, "marked and persistent fear...cued by the presence or anticipation of a specific object or situation;" marked anxiety response or panic attack resulting from exposure to the stimulus; a realization by the patient that his reaction is "excessive or unreasonable;" avoidance of the stimulus or continuous exposure with associated "intense anxiety or distress;" significant interference with the patient's daily functioning in several settings; is at least 6 months in duration and is not otherwise accounted for by similarly presenting disorders (e.g. OCD, PTSD, other phobic disorders, among others) (qtd. in Sadock, Kaplan & Sadock, 2007, p. 600). The paper notes that although sympathetic nervous system manifestations (e.g. cold sweats, tremors, increased blood pressure, heart and respiratory rates, shortness of breath, dizziness, numbness/tingling, etc.) accompany anxiety responses, it is imperative to exclude general medical conditions that can mimic anxiety responses such as hyperthyroidism, hypoglycemia, drug intake/overdose, pheochromocytomas, etc. (Albucher, 2005).

From the Paper
"I. Major features: "marked and persistent fear...cued by the presence or anticipation of a specific object or situation;" marked anxiety response or panic attack resulting from exposure to stimulus; realization that reaction is "excessive or unreasonable;" avoidance of stimulus; significant interference with daily functioning in several settings; at least 6 months in duration and is not otherwise accounted for by other disorders. II. Case Example a. Mental Status Examination..."

Tags:anxiety, disorders, phobias

Abstract
The paper relates that the DSM-IV is a manual for assessing various forms of pschyological and educational problems, where a specific format is employed for diagnosing and describing a problem. The paper describes Daniel as a 4th grade student being diagnosed for problems with inattentiveness and hyperactivity. The paper shows how the report contains information on his appearance, presenting problem, developmental history, mental status multiaxial and differential assessment.

From the Paper
"Daniel is an, energetic 10-year-old Caucasian male. The youngest of 3 children, "Danny" is a fourth grader, attending a suburban elementary school located in northern Westchester County, New York. He lives in the family's four-bedroom home on a tree-lined street of single and two family houses. Appearance Daniel is 4'8" tall and weighs 94 pounds. With short, reddish blonde hair, grey eyes and freckles he appears to be in good physical health except for..."

Tags:adhd, hyperactivity, inattentiveness

Abstract
This paper gives a psychological case study of schizophrenic John Nash, using DSM IV guidelines to ascertain to diagnose and assess his conditions. Also outlines any social and cultural diversification that may have arisen from the diagnosis of his problem.

Abstract
Discussion of the DSM IV diagnosis of the disease. Information needed to complete the five axis diagnosis. Uses a fictional client as an example of how to form an accurate diagnosis. Criteria needed including memory impairment, cognitive impairments, gradual onset, elimination of other conditions that could this this specific dementia. Intervention plan.

From the Paper
"DSM IV Diagnosis : Alzheimer's Disease
DSM IV Criteria
Axis I 290.10 Dementia of the Alzheimer's Type, With
Early Onset, Uncomplicated
Axis II V71.09 No diagnosis
Axis III Alzheimer's disease
Axis IV None
Axis V GAF = 31 (current)
The above five axis diagnosis is preliminary only since some of the necessary information is unavailable at this time. Axis I, Dementia of the Alzheimer's Type, is substantiated by the following criteria: (A) memory impairment, failure to identify objects (agnosia), and disturbance in executive functioning; (B) the cognitive impairments cause significant impairment in..."