What Is Differential Diagnosis In Psychology

This process can be divided into six steps.

What is differential diagnosis in psychology. Psychology definition of differential diagnosis. 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. A differential diagnosis is a list of possible conditions or diseases that could be causing 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. Process of deciding which of 2 diseases are showing overlapping systems. Differential dx for common psychological disorders in dsm iv tr. Most differential diagnoses include a physical exam and a health history.

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. It s based off of the facts obtained from your symptoms medical history basic laboratory. In addition she meets at least five of the dms iv criteria on mental state examination. The method of differential diagnosis was first suggested for use in the diagnosis of mental disorders by emil kraepelin.

1 major depressive disorder lucy s unhappy childhood and psychiatric history of depression support this diagnosis. Differential diagnosis ensures that doctors consider all possibilities before they make a diagnosis for a patient s illness. It involves making a list of all possible. During a health history you ll be asked about your symptoms lifestyle and previous health problems.

Your doctor must differentiate between these to determine the actual diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan. A differential diagnosis is used to help diagnose physical or mental health disorders that cause similar symptoms. A differential diagnosis means that there is more than one possibility for your diagnosis. Unfortunately there are currently no lab tests to identify depression.

Instead the diagnosis is based on your medical history and your symptoms. Differential diagnosis is a process used by doctors to establish which mental health disorder is causing a patient s symptoms. Bipolar i and ii. How will my provider make a differential diagnosis.