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

J. E. Mezzich, G. A. Coffman, S. M. Goodpastor

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

46 Scopus citations

Abstract

The authors present a format that organizes DSM-III diagnoses according to its five 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 1,111 new patients who consecutively applied for care at a comprehensive psychiatric facility during a 6-month 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.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)591-596
Number of pages6
JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry
Volume139
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - 1982
Externally publishedYes

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'A format for DSM-III diagnostic formulation: Experience with 1,111 consecutive patients'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this