Open AccessCan a Developmental Psychopathology Perspective Facilitate a Paradigm Shift Toward a Mixed Categorical–Dimensional Classification System?
Author(s) -
Drabick Deborah A. G.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
clinical psychology: science and practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.285
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1468-2850
pISSN - 0969-5893
DOI - 10.1111/j.1468-2850.2009.01141.x
Subject(s) - psychopathology , categorical variable , perspective (graphical) , psychology , distress , psychosocial , mood , argument (complex analysis) , developmental psychopathology , anxiety , developmental psychology , cognitive psychology , clinical psychology , psychotherapist , psychiatry , medicine , computer science , artificial intelligence , machine learning
Maser et al. (2009) identify several problems with the categorical DSM , and suggest that a shift to a mixed categorical–dimensional system is warranted. Maser et al. support their argument by citing evidence related to mood and anxiety disorders, among other conditions. In this commentary, I consider the applicability of several issues raised by Maser et al. to two disruptive behavior disorders in youth, oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and conduct disorder (CD). The issues include paradigm shifts concerning (a) the diagnostic threshold, (b) symptoms, and (c) distress/psychosocial impairment. Within each topic, several developmental psychopathology principles that parallel and extend the Maser et al. issues are presented and described. This commentary also provides examples of dimensions that could be useful for conceptualizing ODD and CD within a mixed categorical–dimensional classification system.