ICD (International Classification of Diseases) and DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) are two widely used classification systems for diagnosing and categorizing mental disorders, including schizophrenia. Both are essential tools for clinicians, researchers, and policymakers to understand and communicate about mental health conditions. However, they are published by different organizations and have some differences in their approach to diagnosing schizophrenia.
- ICD (International Classification of Diseases):
ICD is published by the World Health Organization (WHO) and is used globally as a standard system for classifying various diseases, including mental disorders. The current version is ICD-10, but there is also a more recent version, ICD-11, which was released in 2018.
In ICD-10, schizophrenia is classified under the category "F20: Schizophrenia, schizotypal, and delusional disorders." The ICD-10 criteria for diagnosing schizophrenia include the presence of characteristic symptoms such as delusions, hallucinations, disorganized thinking and speech, grossly disorganized or abnormal motor behavior, and negative symptoms, along with a duration of symptoms for a significant portion of time during a one-month period. Additionally, social and occupational dysfunction must be present for a significant portion of the time since the onset of the disturbance.
- DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders):
The DSM is published by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) and is widely used in the United States and other countries. The current version is the DSM-5, which was published in 2013.
In DSM-5, schizophrenia is classified under the category "Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders." The criteria for diagnosing schizophrenia in DSM-5 are similar to ICD-10 and include the presence of characteristic symptoms, such as delusions, hallucinations, disorganized thinking, grossly disorganized or abnormal motor behavior, and negative symptoms. However, the DSM-5 requires the duration of symptoms to be at least six months, with at least one month of active-phase symptoms (or less if successfully treated).
Differences:
Duration of Symptoms: One of the main differences between ICD-10 and DSM-5 criteria for schizophrenia is the required duration of symptoms. ICD-10 requires a one-month duration, while DSM-5 requires at least six months, with at least one month of active-phase symptoms.
Organization and Terminology: The two classification systems have different organizational structures and terminology for presenting the criteria for schizophrenia, although the core symptoms remain similar.
It's important to note that despite these differences, both ICD and DSM aim to provide a framework for diagnosing and understanding mental disorders, including schizophrenia, and are valuable resources for mental health professionals in their clinical practice and research.