The ICD-10 Classification of Mental & Behavioural Disorders: Diagnostic Criteria for Research

The Tenth Revision of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10) includes a detailed classification of over 300 mental and behavioural disorders, which is being made available in several different versions for different purposes. This version is intended to help those researching specific disorders to maximize the homogeneity of study groups. To this end, it sets out criteria that allow the selection of individuals with clearly similar symptoms and other characteristics. For studies concerned with either the overlap of, or the distinctions between, disorders, research workers are encouraged to supplement these criteria with others that permit the inclusion of atypical cases. Since it is specifically designed for use in conjunction with The International Classification of Mental and Behavioural Disorders: Clinical descriptions and diagnostic guidelines, the book makes no attempt to duplicate details of clinical concepts. A number of affective and personality disorders of provisional or uncertain status and several that appear to be linked almost exclusively to particular cultures are dealt with in annexes. It is hoped that their inclusion will stimulate the research necessary to clarify their diagnostic relevance and allow their more precise classification.