Advantages and Disadvantages of the DSM

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  • Created by: Emma
  • Created on: 12-03-14 15:17

Advantages and Disadvantages of the DSM

Advantages

  • Standardisation of diagnosis
  • Communication Shorthand (Allows symptoms to be referred to quickly)
  • Aetiology (Knowing a diagnosis can aid research into underlying causes - many are unknown)
  • Therapy (Usually specific to certain disorders - a reliable diagnosis can lead to a particular type of therapy)

Disadvantages

  • Historical and Cultural Context (Criteria often reflect s particular cultural time e.g. Homosexuality was removed from DSM in 1973 when social attitudes changed)
  • Misdiagnosis (If diagnosis is wrong it could lead to inappropriate treatment and in extreme cases, wrongful institutionalisation)

Evaluation

There are many advantages and disadvantages, but perhaps more advantages which suggests the DSM is actually quite useful. When diagnosing a person it is important that the disadvantages mentioned here are taken into consideration. 

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