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Harmful dysfunction and the DSM definition of mental disorder
1Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA. rls8@columbia.edu
Journal of Abnormal Psychology
|August 31, 1999
Summary
The harmful dysfunction (HD) analysis offers a clearer definition of disorder by focusing on internal dysfunction. While it may not change current disorder classifications, it can improve diagnostic criteria validity.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
- Philosophy of Medicine
Background:
- Physicians and the public generally agree on what constitutes a disorder, despite a lack of a formal definition.
- Previous attempts to define disorder have lacked specificity regarding the nature of the dysfunction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce and explain the harmful dysfunction (HD) analysis as a framework for defining mental disorder.
- To highlight the potential benefits of adopting the HD analysis in psychiatric diagnostic systems.
Main Methods:
- Conceptual analysis of the concept of disorder.
- Review of existing diagnostic practices and definitions.
- Application of the HD analysis to psychiatric classification.
Main Results:
- The HD analysis provides a more precise understanding of dysfunction within an individual.
- There is a broad consensus on disorder identification, aligning with the HD framework.
- Adoption of HD analysis in DSM-V could enhance diagnostic criteria validity.
Conclusions:
- The HD analysis offers a valuable conceptual advance in defining mental disorder.
- Its primary utility lies in refining diagnostic criteria rather than altering disorder categories.
- Implementing the HD analysis can lead to more accurate disorder identification in clinical practice.