A critical review of current classification of depression

The difficulties of current classifications of depression can not be considered independent of the general complications of psy chiatric classification. A tedious period of heated debate between the proponent of unitary vs pluralist views, and between the advocates of the categorical vs dimensional...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of Kerman University of Medical Sciences Vol. 1; no. 5; pp. 38 - 45
Main Author: M.T Yasemi
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Kerman University of Medical Sciences 01-12-1993
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Summary:The difficulties of current classifications of depression can not be considered independent of the general complications of psy chiatric classification. A tedious period of heated debate between the proponent of unitary vs pluralist views, and between the advocates of the categorical vs dimensional views didn't prove fruitful. Current classifications share two main characteristics I.e, they are " descriptive " and " categorical" . Our review of evidence regarding the classification of depression indicates that these two peculiarities are the main causes of stagnation of validity. In general, current classifications system have failed to attain their proposed goals. Our suggestion is that the efforts of researchers should be directed toward two parallel approaches. One approach may be called " systemic – dimensional" which can in fact lead  to a comprehensive and valid classificatory system, still far from reach. The other approach is practical and problem because they embody neither of the above mentioned approachs.
ISSN:2008-2843