Multiaxial classification scheme for mental disorders of children and adolescents

The multiaxial classification scheme for mental disorders of children and adolescents is an empirically based further development of the ICD-10 scheme and is used for psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents.

It was developed because psychiatric diagnoses inevitably contain different elements / levels. For example, it may be important to identify intellectual disabilities with or without brain damage. The descriptions relate to the current situation and current difficulties. They are not related to personality. No statements are made about the prognosis or information about the continuation of a fault.

History of the origins of the multiaxial classification

A 3-axis classification was used as early as 1969. The psychiatric-clinical syndrome was described in addition to the level of intelligence and the circumstances in which the disease developed ( etiology ), affecting the body and the environment. The etiological circumstances were later divided into 2 levels. Then in 1976 an axis for described development deficits was introduced. The scheme was based on the ICD-9 coding. The introduction of the multiaxial scheme in Germany took place in 1977.

With the publication of the 10th revision of the ICD, the 6-axis multiaxial classification was adopted from the 3rd edition of the German edition.

The axes of the multiaxial classification scheme

Axis 1 - clinical-psychiatric syndrome

The diagnoses from Chapter V of the ICD-10 are named in the first axis. Exceptions at this point are classes F7 ( intellectual disability ) and F8 ( developmental disorders) - F84: ( profound developmental disorders ) but is permitted as a diagnosis in the 1st axis.

Axis 2 - identified development deficits

At this point circumscribed developmental deficits (e.g. F81.0 reading and spelling disorder ) are described regardless of the cause. They are only present if you drop out of the rest of the developmental level of the child or adolescent. A developmental disorder as part of a severe intellectual disability would therefore not be described here.

Axis 3 - intelligence level

The psychometrically recorded (i.e. through tests) or clinically assessed intelligence level is coded on this axis .

Axis 4 - physical symptoms

Non-psychiatric diseases and syndromes are mentioned here on the 4th axis. However, only the current situation is described here. Exceptions can be made if symptoms are related to current physical illnesses. Diagnoses from Chapter 5 of the ICD-10 must therefore not appear here.

Axis 5 - Associated Current Abnormal Psychosocial Circumstances

Abnormal psychosocial circumstances that are important for the cause or the course of therapy (e.g. a parent's disability) should be coded here.

Axis 6 - Global Assessment of Psychosocial Functioning Level

The extent to which the psychological, social or school-occupational function is restricted is coded on the 6th axis. The impairments must have arisen as a result of a mental disorder, a developmental disorder or an intellectual disability. At this point, the information should be related to competence and not deficit.

Web links

literature

Helmut Remschmidt , Martin Schmidt , Fritz Poustka: Multiaxial classification scheme for mental disorders of children and adolescents according to ICD-10 of the WHO - With a synoptic comparison of ICD-10 and DSM-IV. 6th edition. Huber Verlag, Bern 2012, ISBN 978-3-456-85102-0 .

Individual evidence

↑ Helmut Remschmidt, Martin Schmidt, Fritz Poustka: Multiaxial classification scheme for mental disorders of children and adolescents according to ICD-10 of the WHO - With a synoptic comparison of ICD-10 and DSM-IV. 6th edition. Huber Verlag, Bern 2012, ISBN 978-3-456-85102-0 , pp. 9-10.
↑ Helmut Remschmidt, Martin Schmidt, Fritz Poustka: Multiaxial classification scheme for mental disorders of children and adolescents according to ICD-10 of the WHO - With a synoptic comparison of ICD-10 and DSM-IV. 6th edition. Huber Verlag, Bern 2012, ISBN 978-3-456-85102-0 , pp. 10-12.

[1] Helmut Remschmidt, Martin Schmidt, Fritz Poustka: Multiaxial classification scheme for mental disorders of children and adolescents according to ICD-10 of the WHO - With a synoptic comparison of ICD-10 and DSM-IV. 6th edition. Huber Verlag, Bern 2012, ISBN 978-3-456-85102-0 , pp. 9-10.

[2] Helmut Remschmidt, Martin Schmidt, Fritz Poustka: Multiaxial classification scheme for mental disorders of children and adolescents according to ICD-10 of the WHO - With a synoptic comparison of ICD-10 and DSM-IV. 6th edition. Huber Verlag, Bern 2012, ISBN 978-3-456-85102-0 , pp. 10-12.