4.2 Stregths And Limitations Of Dimensional And Categorical Approaches Flashcards Preview

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Flashcards in 4.2 Stregths And Limitations Of Dimensional And Categorical Approaches Deck (6)
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0
Q

What are the strength of dimensional approaches

A

They can reflect the nature of the disorder more informatively than categorical approach - e.g. substance use disorders, personality disorders and mental retardation
Provides a profile rather than a label, thus reducing stigma
Accounts for the individual nature of each client’s presentation
Provides information about strengths and weaknesses that could inform treatment and associated decision-making

1
Q

Describe the dimensional approach

A

The dimensional approach quantify symptoms of mental disorders on a scale or continuing with lower scores indicating lower impairments and higher scores indicating higher impairments

2
Q

What are the weaknesses of the dimensional approach

A

Limited practical value when dichotomous decisions of the need to be made - for example, does or does not a person require treatment
Can be more time-consuming than categorical approaches
Can reduce the shared language amongst clinicians

3
Q

Describe the categorical approach

A

The categorical approach is consistent with the medical tradition, in which it is believed and often confirmed in other areas of medicine, that disorders has specific aetiologies, pathologies and treatments

4
Q

What are the strength of the categorical approach

A

Provides a shared language which facilitates communication between stakeholders. Without a common language capacity for communication would be significantly reduced.

Can help guide clinicians towards a purportedly correct diagnosis

Can help research is in investigating clusters of symptoms

5
Q

What are the weaknesses of a categorical approach

A

Poor interrater reliability
Excessive comorbidity amongst categorical diagnoses which may indicate invalidity of diagnostic distinctions rather than the presence of multiple conditions
Categorical distinctions can increase stigma and therefore be a barrier to care
Categorical diagnoses can be self-fulfilling
Purely medical model does not incorporate biopsychosocial understanding of condition and treatment