The authors present a format that organizes DMS-III diagnoses according
to its five axes. For each axis, it provides an ordered listing of several
diagnostic categories, their qualification as principal or provisional
diagnoses, and alternative categories to be ruled out. For each dimensional
axis, the terms and codes of the scale are specified and arranged linearly.
This format was used with 1,111 new patients who consecutively applied for
care at a comprehensive psychiatric facility during a 6-month period. The
authors report on the frequency of use of specific diagnostic categories
and dimensional levels along provisional, and rule-out diagnoses were
noted.
Abstract Teaser