[Classification and diagnostic problems of neuroses and psychosomatic disorders]

On the occasion of the 9th Revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD), the classification and diagnostic problems of neuroses and psychosomatic illnesses were discussed. First, the fundamental difficulties in the classification of mental illnesses were elucidated on the basis of the contrary nature of the nomothetic and idiographic approach. Next, practical problems were discussed with reference to a clinical case study; these problems arise due to the differing professional basic education and experience of the examiners, and they are amplified by the special nature of the term neurosis compared to other psychic disorders. Then, particular difficulties in the classification of psychosomatic illnesses were referred to. Finally, suggestions for future revisions in the ICD were worked out.