Multiaxial Diagnosis Essay Example

widely recognized (e. g. , major depressive episode, schizophrenic episode, panic attack). Axis I terms are classified according to V-codes by the medical industry (primarily for billing and insurance purposes). Clinical Disorders are grouped into categories listed below with examples of each.

Axis II is the assesment of personality disorders and intellectual disabilities. These disorders are usually life-long problems that first arise in childhood. Read more. Axis II is part of the DSM "multiaxial" system for assessment. The five axis model is designed to provide a comprehensive diagnosis that includes a complete picture of not just acute symptoms but of the entire scope of factors that account for a patient's mental health. This page explains DSM Axis II. Axis II is for assessing personality disorders and intellectual disabilities.

These disorders are usually life-long problems that first arise in childhood, distinct from the clinical disorders of Axis I which are often symptomatic of Axis II. For example, a adult patient might have depression (an Axis I disorder) that is largely a result of a paranoid personality disorder (an Axis II disorder). Axis II disorders are accompanied by considerable social stigma because they are suffered by people who often fail to adapt well to society; Axis II disorders can seem untreatable and be difficult to pinpoint. It is often disupted whether Axis II disorders are caused primarily by genetic influences or environmental causes.

In fact, it has been suggested that, "the diagnosis 'personality disorder' should be replaced by the diagnosis 'adaptation disorders'. This reflects the real nature of the disorder more accurately, and is likely to reduce the stigmatizing component of thepersonality disorder diagnosis

as it places emphasis on positive efforts to improve adaptation. The suggested revisions of the personality disorderdiagnosis and dimensional approach to these disorders are likely to advance treatment and research - we discuss these aspects in some detail.

1 Another indication of the nebulous, difficult to categorize distinguish nature of Axis II disorders is the categorization of autism. Autism used to be on Axis II but was moved to Axis I. This is because some cases of autism are transient - they respond well to treatment and/or diminish over time. Axis II disorders are regarded as more permanent and less responsive to treatment. Here is a list of some more commonly diagnosed Axis II disorders. Click on each to learn more.

Axis III: Axis III is for medical or neurological conditions that may influence a psychiatric problem. For example, diabetes might cause extreme fatigue which may lead to a depressive episode. Read more. Axis III is part of the DSM "multiaxial" system for assessment. The five axis model is designed to provide a comprehensive diagnosis that includes a complete picture of not just acute symptoms but of the entire scope of factors that account for a patient's mental health. This page explains DSM Axis III. Axis III - General Medical Conditions

Axis III describes physical problems that may be relevant to diagnosing and treating mental disorders. For example, a patient with an Axis I diagnosis of mood disorder who also hadglaucoma, would have the glaucoma recorded on Axis IV; the pain and increasing blindness of glaucoma could be a relevant factor influencingdepression. General medical conditions can be regarded in basically three ways.

First, as being directly related to mental disorders; second, as being important to the overall diagnostic picture; third, as not having a sufficient relationship.

Axis IV: Axis IV identifies recent psychosocial stressors - a death of a loved one, divorce, losing a job, etc. - that may affect the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of mental disorders. Read more. Psychosocial and Environmental Problems Axis IV Psychosocial and Environmental Problems Axis IV is for, "…reporting psychosocial and environmental stressors that may affect the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of mental disorders" (quote from DSM IV).

Axis IV is fairly easy to understand: essentially, it is for recording life events - e. g. arriage, new job, death of a loved one - that may affect a patient's mental health diagnosis and treatment. For example, someone with an Axis I diagnosis of depression who had recently lost their job would have "job loss" or "unemployment" recorded on Axis IV. Generally, only those stressors from the past 12 months are recorded on Axis IV; clinicians are encouraged to only list those problems which are relevant to the patient's current situation. In some cases, severe psychosocial and environmental problems such as sexual abuse may be part of an Axis I diagnosis.

Axis V: Axis V identifies the patient's level of function on a scale of 0-100, (100 is top-level functioning). Known as the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) Scale, it attempts to quantify a patient's ability to function in daily life. Read more. Axis V - Global Assessment of Functioning Scale Axis V is part of the DSM "multiaxial" system for assessment. The five axis model is designed to

provide a comprehensive diagnosis that includes a complete picture of not just acute symptoms but of the entire scope of factors that account for a patient's mental health.

This page explains DSM Axis V Axis V is for Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF), a reflection of the evaluating clinician's judgement of a patient's ability to function in daily life. The 100 point scale measures psychological, social and occupational functioning. From a diagnostic perspective, the GAF takes a practical view of a patient's mental health. GAF ratings are not only applied to the time the patient enters the doctor's office but are applied over time to monitor progress; ratings are given for different time frames such as "current" or "past week" along with relative ratings such as "highest level in past year. From a healthcare management perspective, the GAF provides quantifiable information that is used to measure eligibility for treatment programs, insurance benefits, disability benefits, etc. Range of Axis V GAF ratings The 100 point scale regardes the top rating level of 91-100 as "superior functioning," which essentially identifies a person without symptoms. At the middle of the scale, a rating of 41-50 is for symptoms that lead toantisocial behavior (kleptomania) or social dysfunction (inability to keep a job).

The bottom of the scale, 1-10, rates those who pose a threat to themselves or others, who cannot maintain their personal hygiene, or who are suicidal - these patients are mostly dysfunctional on a daily basis and in need of serious help. Axis V in DSM-5 The next edition of the DSM is scheduled for publication in May, 2013. Working groups are reviewing the multiaxial

system to try to bring it more into line with the international reporting standards of the ICD (WHO International Classification of Diseases) with the goal of having a global approach to mental health diagnosis.

Axis V is being reviewed as part of this process. TheAmerican Psychiatric Association states, ... regarding Axis V, which allows clinicians to rate a patient’s overall level of functioning, the Impairment and Disability Study Group is discussing ways in which disability and distress can be better assessed in DSM-5. They have recommended that DSM-5 more closely follow the concepts outlines in the WHO International Family of Classifications, in which disorders and their associated disabilities are conceptually distinct and assessed separately. An example of a Five axis diagnosis