Innovations and changes in the ICD-11 classification of mental, behavioural and neurodevelopmental disorders

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry and Mental Health
• Medical Classification Systems
• Public Health Statistics

Background:

• The World Health Organization (WHO) is transitioning from the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10) to the 11th Revision (ICD-11).
• The ICD-11 Mental, Behavioural and Neurodevelopmental Disorders Clinical Descriptions and Diagnostic Guidelines (CDDG) have undergone a decade-long international revision process.
• This revision prioritized clinical utility, global applicability, and a multidisciplinary, multilingual approach.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline the significant structural changes in the ICD-11 classification of mental disorders compared to ICD-10.
• To introduce new ICD-11 chapters relevant to mental health practice.
• To detail newly added categories and modifications within ICD-11 disorder groupings.

Main Methods:

• Comparative analysis of ICD-10 and ICD-11 structures for mental disorders.
• Description of the development process for ICD-11 CDDG.
• Illustration of new ICD-11 categories and rationale for their inclusion.

Main Results:

• The ICD-11 introduces innovations such as a lifespan approach, culture-related guidance, and systematically characterized information.
• Dimensional approaches are incorporated for personality and primary psychotic disorders, enhancing compatibility with recovery-based models and reducing artificial comorbidity.
• Major structural changes and new categories have been implemented across ICD-11 disorder groupings.

Conclusions:

• The ICD-11 represents a significant advancement in the classification of mental disorders, incorporating evidence-based and globally applicable innovations.
• The updated classification aims to improve clinical utility, better capture diagnostic nuances, and support recovery-oriented care.
• This comprehensive revision provides essential information for clinicians and researchers preparing for the ICD-11 implementation.