Nosology and diagnostic issues in child and adolescent psychiatry

Abstract

In this chapter, conceptual issues to do with the diagnoses and classification of psychiatric disorders among children and adolescents are briefly examined. The question whether mental illnesses among children and adolescents should be considered disorders or diseases is also examined. Diagnosis and formulation are differentiated. Differences between Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition (DSM-IV) and International Classification of Diseases, and 10th edition (ICD 10) criteria for disorders of childhood and adolescence are discussed. Changes with the introduction of the fifth edition of the DSM (DSM-5) are elaborated. Significant conditions not yet incorporated into the DSM-5 such as “Internet gaming disorder” are also considered.