Symptom Descriptions in Psychopathology: How Well Are They Working for Us?

2021 ◽  
pp. 216770262096921
Author(s):  
Carolyn E. Wilshire ◽  
Tony Ward ◽  
Samuel Clack

In this article, we examine how symptoms are conceptualized in theories of psychopathology. We identify five questions that need to be asked about symptoms, including what kind of constructs they are, how we should describe them, and what causal explanations they support. We then examine how three different theoretical frameworks address these questions: the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the symptom-network-modeling approach, and the Cambridge model of symptom formation. We show that the assumptions these frameworks make affect the kinds of theoretical models they support and the research approaches they advocate. When symptoms are viewed as empirical observations, the focus of inquiry is directed elsewhere. However, when symptoms are understood as complex constructs in their own right, that are themselves built on certain theoretical assumptions, then understanding them becomes crucial to theoretical progress. We conclude by calling for greater focus on research that unpacks the constructs underlying symptoms.

Author(s):  
Timo D. Vloet ◽  
Marcel Romanos

Zusammenfassung. Hintergrund: Nach 12 Jahren Entwicklung wird die 11. Version der International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) von der Weltgesundheitsorganisation (WHO) im Januar 2022 in Kraft treten. Methodik: Im Rahmen eines selektiven Übersichtsartikels werden die Veränderungen im Hinblick auf die Klassifikation von Angststörungen von der ICD-10 zur ICD-11 zusammenfassend dargestellt. Ergebnis: Die diagnostischen Kriterien der generalisierten Angststörung, Agoraphobie und spezifischen Phobien werden angepasst. Die ICD-11 wird auf Basis einer Lebenszeitachse neu organisiert, sodass die kindesaltersspezifischen Kategorien der ICD-10 aufgelöst werden. Die Trennungsangststörung und der selektive Mutismus werden damit den „regulären“ Angststörungen zugeordnet und können zukünftig auch im Erwachsenenalter diagnostiziert werden. Neu ist ebenso, dass verschiedene Symptomdimensionen der Angst ohne kategoriale Diagnose verschlüsselt werden können. Diskussion: Die Veränderungen im Bereich der Angsterkrankungen umfassen verschiedene Aspekte und sind in der Gesamtschau nicht unerheblich. Positiv zu bewerten ist die Einführung einer Lebenszeitachse und Parallelisierung mit dem Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). Schlussfolgerungen: Die entwicklungsbezogene Neuorganisation in der ICD-11 wird auch eine verstärkte längsschnittliche Betrachtung von Angststörungen in der Klinik sowie Forschung zur Folge haben. Damit rückt insbesondere die Präventionsforschung weiter in den Fokus.


2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mercy García ◽  
Ernestina Tamami ◽  
Giovanni Rojas-Velasco ◽  
Carolina Posso ◽  
Galo Sánchez del Hierro ◽  
...  

Introducción.- Los síntomas somáticos causan malestar y afectan la calidad de  vida de los pacientes, incrementando la frecuencia del uso de los servicios de salud. En Ecuador no existe un instrumento validado que evalúe somatización. La escala Somatic Symtom Scale-8 (SSS-8), es un instrumento usado como medida de referencia en the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders(DSM-V), para evaluar la carga de síntomas somáticos, validada en inglés y adaptada culturalmente a los idiomas alemán y japonés. Objetivos.- En esta investigación el propósito fue validar la escala “Somatic Symptom Scale-8” y determinar sus propiedades métricas. Métodos.- Investigación descriptiva y transversal en la que se realizó la validación de la herramienta clínica SSS-8 en 401 pacientes en la consulta externa del hospital Pedro Vicente Maldonado, desde mayo a julio de 2017. Para el análisis de datos se utilizaron los programas estadísticos SPSS versión 23, Latent gold y EpiDat 3.1. Resultados.- El grupo mayoritario fue de 30 a 47 años, con ligero predominio del sexo masculino (con 52,6%) sobre el femenino (47,4%). El SSS-8 mostró adecuadas propiedades métricas (alfa de Cronbach de 0,73). Mediante este análisis se obtuvo que, los pacientes que respondieron: algo, bastante o muchísimo en las dimensiones sentirse cansado, dolor de cabeza, dolor de brazos y dolor de espalda; tenían un 99% de probabilidades de presentar somatización. Conclusiones.- En este estudio, el SSS-8 demostró ser una herramienta útil para evaluar los síntomas somáticos en pacientes que acuden a consulta externa, ya que presentó buenas propiedades métricas: consistencia interna elevada, buena validez y una apropiada capacidad discriminativa.


Author(s):  
Kelly C. Allison ◽  
Jennifer D. Lundgren

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, fifth edition, of the American Psychiatric Association (2013) has designated several disorders under the diagnosis of otherwise specified feeding and eating disorder (OSFED). This chapter evaluates three of these, night eating syndrome (NES), purging disorder (PD), and atypical anorexia nervosa (atypical AN). It also reviews orthorexia nervosa, which has been discussed in the clinical realm as well as the popular press. The history and definition for each is reviewed, relevant theoretical models are presented and compared, and evidence for the usefulness of the models is described. Empirical studies examining the disorders’ independence from other disorders, comorbid psychopathology, and, when available, medical comorbidities, are discussed. Distress and impairment in functioning seem comparable between at least three of these emerging disorders and threshold eating disorders. Finally, remaining questions for future research are summarized.


Author(s):  
Thomas A. Widiger ◽  
Maryanne Edmundson

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Third Edition (DSM-III) is often said to have provided a significant paradigm shift in how psychopathology is diagnosed. The authors of DSM-5 have the empirical support and the opportunity to lead the field of psychiatry to a comparably bold new future in diagnosis and classification. The purpose of this chapter is to address the validity of the categorical and dimensional models for the classification and diagnosis of psychopathology. Considered in particular will be research concerning substance use disorders, mood disorders, and personality disorders. Limitations and concerns with respect to a dimensional classification of psychopathology are also considered. The chapter concludes with a recommendation for a conversion to a more quantitative, dimensional classification of psychopathology.


BJPsych Open ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
James Ross ◽  
Chris Watling

BackgroundPsychiatry has faced significant criticism for overreliance on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) and medications with purported disregard for empathetic, humanistic interventions.AimsTo develop an empirically based qualitative theory explaining how psychiatrists use empathy in day-to-day practice, to inform practice and teaching approaches.MethodThis study used constructivist grounded theory methodology to ask (a) ‘How do psychiatrists understand and use empathetic engagement in the day-to-day practice of psychiatry?’ and (b) ‘How do psychiatrists learn and teach the skills of empathetic engagement?’ The authors interviewed 17 academic psychiatrists and 4 residents and developed a theory by iterative coding of the collected data.ResultsThis constructivist grounded theory of empathetic engagement in psychiatric practice considered three major elements: relational empathy, transactional empathy and instrumental empathy. As one moves from relational empathy through transactional empathy to instrumental empathy, the actions of the psychiatrist become more deliberate and interventional.ConclusionsParticipants were described by empathy-based interventions which are presented in a theory of ‘empathetic engagement’. This is in contrast to a paradigm that sees psychiatry as purely based on neurobiological interventions, with psychotherapy and interpersonal interventions as completely separate activities from day-to-day psychiatric practice.


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