Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2015;57(9):664-71.

[Psychiatric comorbidity: theoretical and clinical dilemmas]

[Article in Dutch]
  • PMID: 26401608
Review

[Psychiatric comorbidity: theoretical and clinical dilemmas]

[Article in Dutch]
L J B van Oudheusden et al. Tijdschr Psychiatr. 2015.

Abstract

Background: The high prevalence of psychiatric comorbidity is usually considered to be a problematic artefact of the DSM. Clinicians appear to be reluctant to register comorbid diagnoses.

Aim: To provide insight into the concept of 'psychiatric comorbidity', so that the phenomenon can be dealt with more efficiently in clinical practice.

Method: We studied the literature and performed a theoretical analysis.

Results: The high prevalence of psychiatric comorbidity is closely linked to the structure of the DSM and is leading increasingly to practical and theoretical problems. These problems have stimulated the development of several valuable alternative models of psychopathology. In the context of these developments, however, the use of terms such as 'artificial' has led to a needless and unfruitful polarisation of the debate. The debate needs to focus primarily on the usefulness of various models for patient care and research.

Conclusion: Psychiatric comorbidity is an inevitable consequence of a categorical approach to psychopathology, which is basically legitimate. As long as the dsm in its current form constitutes an important part of our diagnostic 'arsenal', we advise clinicians to register comorbid classifications in as much detail as possible and at the same time to give close attention to the correct interpretation of the phenomenon.

PubMed Disclaimer