A brief history of psychiatric classification. From the ancients to DSM-IV.
We are now at an interesting crossroads in the history of psychiatric nosology. There have been many oscillations over time between etiologic and descriptive models, between lumping and splitting, and between categorical and dimensional systems. It is unfortunate, but inevitable, that most of the etiologic models of the past have been based on unproven and unprovable theories. Like its predecessors, DSM-IV is a descriptive system, and it too gradually will be replaced by an etiologic model--one, it is hoped, that is more scientifically valid than previous attempts at etiologic explanation. This will be an important step for the profession, for scientific understanding, and for the patient.
Mack
A H
AH
Department of Psychiatry, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina.
Forman
L
L
Brown
R
R
Frances
A
A
D005060:Europe; D049670:History, 17th Century; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049690:History, Ancient; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000145:classification* / Q000266:history*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000266:history*; D014481:United States