ICD vs DSM vs CCMD

Hi, today we look at where the diagnostic criteria for disorders come from. 

• ICD stands for the International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems.  The ICD is published by the World Health Organisation.  The mental health component of the ICD is the product of effort from mental health professionals worldwide.  The ICD is currently in the 10th Edition.  Thus, many call it the ICD-10.  There is an Australian Modification (AM) version of the ICD which has normative data for the Australian population called the ICD-10-AM. 
  
• DSM stands for the Diagnostic Statistical Manual of mental disorders.  The DSM is published by the American Psychiatric Association.  It is largely used in America.  It is currently in it fourth text revised version, thus, the DSM-IV-TR. 
  
• CCMD stands for the Chinese Classification of Mental Disorders.  The CCMD is published by the Chinese Society of Psychiatry.  It is largely used in China and is currently in its  third edition.  

In all these manuals, there are varying diagnostic criteria for the same disorder and also different terms of the same disorder.  In addition, you will find that there are some presentation that are considered a disorder in one manual but not in other manuals.  Regardless, always remember that even though you can obtain the diagnostic criteria of the mental disorder on the internet, the interpretation of the criteria must only be carried out by a trained and skilled professional. 

What I want you to remember is that the role of mental health professionals is not to stick a mental health disorder label.  Remember that if we cannot name the issue, we cannot resolve the issue.  Thus, the accurate diagnosis of the mental health disorder (if present) certainly helps in terms of understanding the incidence and prevalence rates; prognosis; and application of evidence-based treatment relevant to the mental health disorder.

Thank you for reading.