title: [Erik Essen-Möller and the roots of multiaxial classification in psychiatry].
abstract: Against the background of the preparation of ICD-11 and DSM-V, the historical roots of a multiaxial diagnostic assessment in psychiatry are reviewed. The principles of such an approach are traced back to the Swedish psychiatrist Erik Essen-Möller who had proposed a distinction between aetiological and descriptive aspects in the classification of mental disorders. Furthermore, he suggested to break down the descriptive classification into the cross-sectional psychopathological picture and the clinical course. Nowadays, a multiaxial assessment is used in diagnostic systems such as DSM-IV. However, these current concepts differ considerably from Essen-Möller's suggestions. A return to the original approach of multiaxial diagnostic assessment comprising the axes "syndromes", "course types" and "aetiology" would be in line with current neurobiological findings and may provide a bridge between the traditional categorical diagnostic approach and dimensional models.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie II, Universität Ulm, Bezirkskrankenhaus Günzburg. markus.jaeger@bkh-guenzburg.de
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jäger
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Frasch
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Becker
mesh_terms: D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000266:history*; D011570:Psychiatry / Q000266:history*; D013548:Sweden; D013577:Syndrome