The Diagnostic And Statistical Manual Of Mental Disorders

Trait theories assume people have many traits that are continuing qualities that individuals have in different amounts. Allport’s theory suggests that there are 3 main traits: central, secondary, and cardinal. A central trait is a characteristic that controls and organizes behavior in various situations. A secondary trait can be described as a preference and is specific to certain situations. A cardinal trait is very general and pervasive. It is so pervasive that an individual is governed by it and it dictates everything a person does.

Personality and how we behave have been of much interest to psychologists for a long time now and because of this there have been many theories and theorists that have been developed. Personality is defined as consistent behavior patterns and intrapersonal processes originating within and individual (Fritzley, 2012, p. 10). There are six main approaches to personality psychology they include: biological approach, humanistic approach, behaviorist approach, trait approach, psychoanalytic approach and cognitive approach. Each approach shines a little light onto why we behave the way we do and how our personalities are formed, the approaches contain many different theories from

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) has a number of features. First of all, every disorder is identified using a name and a numerical code. In addition, the manual provides the criteria for diagnosing each disorder as well as establishes subtypes of a disorder and examples that would illustrate the disorder. The manual goes further by addressing the typical age of onset, culturally related information, gender-related information, prevalence of a disorder, typical clinical course of a disorder, typical predisposing factors of a disorder and genetic family patterns of a disease (Summers, 2009). The DSM-IV is a tool that is used by mental health practitioners and social service workers. As has been demonstrated

The ego must make a balance between the id and the superego; trying to satisfy our needs whilst not offending the superego. The ego sometimes uses defence mechanisms to remove problems. Some examples are:

Learning is a social process that we gather through interaction with others in our everyday life. As human, we develop different learning mechanism that helps shape our personalities from our environment, imitation, and behavior. Personality psychology has been able to attempt and continue to explain the complex organism of a person’s behavior that guide ones direction and pattern of a person’s life.

Personality disorders are very defined and recognized in today’s society. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) published by the American Psychiatric Association provides common language and standards to classify mental disorders. The DSM is used by many people in varying disciplines in many other countries. In times past, people with disorders may have been misunderstood, outcast from community, or even persecuted. However, in our current culture the pendulum has swung in the other direction. People are tricky creatures to study due to the complexity and magical way our brain works. Very little is known, even less is understood about how and why we work the way we do.

Although autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is still a largely misunderstood condition, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.; DSM-5; American Psychiatric Association, 2013) lists several criteria to assist in the identifying and diagnosing process. The DSM-5 was updated in 2013 to include more specific descriptors and specifiers to better include all individuals on the spectrum (Boucher, 2017). Criteria includes: persistent deficits in social communication, repetitive patterns of behaviors, symptoms present in early childhood, and symptoms that limit and impair everyday functioning (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Each video referenced exemplifies common behaviors individuals with ASD display. It is

The first video identified a two-year old boy named Ian that exhibited these behaviors: Hand flapping at 7X/min, sometimes paired with a throat noise/screech; open and close fists repetitively; shaking his head; spinning, and pushing down on the chair. I also observed that there was limited to no eye contact, specifically the child looked in the direction of mother only once. I observed that when the parents asked Ian questions, praised him, or placed demands on him, Ian did not respond verbally or turn his head toward the sound. The behaviors I observed relate to several areas within criteria A of mouth The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.; DSM–5; American Psychiatric Association, 2013) “Persistent deficits

In early 2013, American Psychiatric Association’s (2013) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V) was reorganized in an attempt to increase the clinical utility of the extant eating disorder classification systems by reducing the number of Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS) cases without losing past research evidence regarding effective treatment for this diagnosis (Keel, Brown, Holm-Denoma & Bodell, 2011).

The current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), now in its 5th edition, defines attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as persistent cycles of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that inhibit an individual’s ability to function or interferes with their development (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Inattention is said to manifest though behaviours such as wandering off and difficulty in maintaining focus. Hyperactivity on the other hand, manifests in an extreme relentlessness at a given activity, or persisting with an activity to the extent that it wears out others. To be diagnosed with ADHD according to the DSM-5, six or more symptoms must be met in regarding inattention and or

Psychologists have tried for centuries to solve personality issues with simple theories, but human nature is too complex to be explained by theories with few aspects. Theorists today are developing multi-faceted models to help in counseling and the treatment of mental disorders. These theories evolve with time and education, but many are still founded on core principles

One of the long held goals of psychology has been to establish a model that can conveniently describe human personality and disorders therein, with the intent to use this model in the remedying of personality disorders and improving general understanding of personality. Currently, a handful of models have risen to prominence, and have thus far stood the test of time. Some models are more generally accepted than others. Support for some models seems to come and go in cycles.

There is a lot of public outcry for the repeal of this defence. However, this would only lead to more problems than answers. So long as there are mentally ill individuals in society, this defence is warranted despite any of its deficiencies. For individuals experience some form of mental illness who come into contact with the criminal justice system, this defence allows them to attain the counselling and treatment they require. Before a verdict can be rendered, the courts administer a rigorous test and ensure that those individuals who gain the benefit of this defence truly deserve it. The defence of not criminally responsible remains very pertinent in today’s society simply because society recognizes a need to differentiate a true criminal from one who does not intend the consequences of his or her actions. However, there are many misconceptions and issues in how the defence is administered that need to be addressed to make this defence more available and effective to those who seek it. Within this essay, the deficiencies of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) will be discussed in an attempt to demonstrate the flaws in the current apparatus used and relied on by psychiatrists when making assessments regarding criminal responsibility. Under the current standards and the dependence on the DSM-IV may lead to an under-use of the insanity defence rather than an overuse. In general, this paper will examine the use and availability of the “not

While psychodynamic and behavioural approaches are the two major approaches to personality, they view personality from different perspective. Psychodynamic approach argues personality is caused by forces in the unconscious but not learnt. Individuals have little control over their behaviour as it is predetermined, and early childhood plays a crucial part in shaping one's personality. Behavioural approach, on the other hand, recognizes personality as learnt and focuses only on present behaviour matters. Given the differences, it has been argued whether, in terms of scientific merit, psychodynamic or behavioural approach is more comprehensive. The strengths of psychodynamic approach are consideration of childhood experiences and recognition of the unconscious part. On the contrary, behavioural approach focuses on behaviour that can be scientifically measured and verified, and recognizes the importance of external environment on personality. From the above arguments, it is finally concluded, in term of methodology and testability, behavioural approach is more comprehensive.

The Super Ego aims for perfection, it works in contradiction to the Id. It controls our sense of right and wrong.