Psychopathy - historical controversies and new diagnostic approach.
Psychopathy as a mental disorder or construct, although not included in the currently valid classification systems, is increasingly attracting the attention of professionals and researchers involved in the field of mental health. Interest in psychopathy has particularly grown after the announcement of the new classification system DSM V, in which psychopathy is referred to as a defined diagnosis in the context of six new personality disorders. This paper presents the historical development of psychopathy, classification systems, the PCL-R as a measuring instrument for assessing psychopathy, similarities and differences with Dissocial or Antisocial personality disorder, and its biological correlates. In accordance with the new trends in the diagnosis of mental disorders, the need for training in the application of the mentioned instrument for the precise diagnosis of psychopathy is highlighted.
Department of Forensic Psychiatry, Clinic of Psychiatry Vrapče, Bolnička cesta 32, 10090 Zagreb, Croatia. nadica.buzina@gmail.com
Nadica
N
Buzina
D000987:Antisocial Personality Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000266:history*; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012920:Social Behavior Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000266:history*