What Is Differential Diagnosis In Psychology

Most differential diagnoses include a physical exam and a health history.

What is differential diagnosis in psychology. It involves making a list of all possible. A differential diagnosis is used to help diagnose physical or mental health disorders that cause similar symptoms. The method of differential diagnosis was first suggested for use in the diagnosis of mental disorders by emil kraepelin. Rule out malingering and factitious disorder.

A differential diagnosis is also commonly used within the field of psychiatry psychology where two different diagnoses can be attached to a patient who is exhibiting symptoms which could fit into either diagnosis. Differential diagnosis ensures that doctors consider all possibilities before they make a diagnosis for a patient s illness. A differential diagnosis means that there is more than one possibility for your diagnosis. Process of deciding which of 2 diseases are showing overlapping systems.

How will my provider make a differential diagnosis. In addition she meets at least five of the dms iv criteria on mental state examination. Instead the diagnosis is based on your medical history and your symptoms. During a health history you ll be asked about your symptoms lifestyle and previous health problems.

1 major depressive disorder lucy s unhappy childhood and psychiatric history of depression support this diagnosis. It s based off of the facts obtained from your symptoms medical history basic laboratory. Differential dx for common psychological disorders in dsm iv tr. Your doctor must differentiate between these to determine the actual diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan.

From the information gathered in the history and examination the following differential diagnosis can be posited. Bipolar i and ii. 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. 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.

Unfortunately there are currently no lab tests to identify depression. Differential diagnosis is a process used by doctors to establish which mental health disorder is causing a patient s symptoms. Distinction between 2 or more similar conditions by identifying the. Bipolar i ii.