[The etio-epigenetic nosographic system as an illustration of multiaxial diagnosis in psychiatry]

Abstract

Basing on earlier work done by Essen-Möller in Sweden, Leme Lopez in Brazil, and Tadeusz Bilikiewicz in Poland, a survey is presented of the development of the concepts known an etioepigenetic psychiatric nosography. The significance of these systems in the classification of mental disorders is illustrated by examples. The etioepigenetic system involves three axes of development methods of the complex structure of the psyche. The first axis embraoes the genotypic period, the second the effects of etioepigenetic factors, and the third the formation of psychopathologic (neurotic or psychiatric) syndromes.