What Is Differential Diagnosis In Mental Health

In addition she meets at least five of the dms iv criteria on mental state examination.

What is differential diagnosis in mental health. Medical nursing psychiatric psychological counseling social work marriage and family therapy accurate diagnosis allows for common ground to be established in terms of research. How will my provider make a differential diagnosis. The process of differential diagnosis step 1. A differential diagnosis is a list of possible conditions or diseases that could be causing your symptoms based off of this information.

Rule out a disorder due to a general medical condition step 4. Differential diagnosis sometimes abbreviated ddx or or δδ is the systematic method used to identify the condition syndrome or disorder causing a patient s signs and symptoms. The method of differential diagnosis was first suggested for use in the diagnosis of mental disorders by emil kraepelin. The process of weighing the probability of one disease versus that of other diseases possibly accounting for a patient s illness.

Rule out substance etiology step 3. Determine the specific primary disorder step 5. Your doctor must differentiate between these to determine the actual diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan. A differential diagnosis means that there is more than one possibility for your diagnosis.

During a health history you ll be asked about your symptoms lifestyle and previous health problems. Steps involved in a differential diagnosis when performing a. Purposes behind diagnosis accurate diagnosis allows for consistency and standardization throughout all disciplines that address mental health concerns. Rule out malingering and factitious disorder.

Instead the diagnosis is based on your medical history and your symptoms. Differential diagnosis is the bread and butter of our task as clinicians patients come into the office seeking relief from broad symptoms such as depressed mood or fatigue and clinicians must consider which of all the disorders in dsm could account for those symptoms. Rule out malingering and factitious disorder step 2. Differentiate adjustment disorders from the residual.

1 major depressive disorder lucy s unhappy childhood and psychiatric history of depression support this diagnosis. Unfortunately there are currently no lab tests to identify depression. Medicinenet does not provide medical advice diagnosis or treatment.