A format for DSM-III diagnostic formulation: experience with 1,111 consecutive patients

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
A format is presented that organizes DSM-III (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders III) diagnoses according to its 5 axes. For each axis, it provides an ordered listing of several diagnostic categories, their qualification as principal or provisional diagnoses, and alternative categories to be ruled out. For each dimensional axis, the terms and codes of the scale are specified and arranged linearly. This format was used with 1111 new patients who consecutively applied for care at a comprehensive psychiatric facility during a 6-mo. period. The authors report on the frequency of use of specific diagnostic categories and dimensional levels along with the proportion of patients for whom principal, provisional, and rule-out diagnoses were noted.