Easy2Siksha Sample Papers
GNDU Most Repeated (Important) Quesons
B.A/B.Sc 5th Semester
PSYCHOLOGY
(Abnormal & Clinical Psychology – I)
Based on 4-Year GNDU Queson Paper Trend (2021–2024)
Must-Prepare Quesons (80–100% Probability)
SECTION–A (Nature of Abnormality & Psychopathology)
1. DSM Classicaon System – Advantages & Disadvantages
Appeared in: 2021 (Q1a), 2024 (Q1)
Probability for 2025: (100%)
Always repeated — DSM system is the foundaon of clinical diagnosis. Focus on DSM–V
features, pros/cons, and comparison with ICD.
2025 Smart Predicon Table
(Based on GNDU 2021–2024 Trend)
No.
Queson Topic
Years
Appeared
Probability for 2025
1
DSM Classicaon System – Advantages &
Disadvantages
2021, 2024
(100%)
GNDU Most Repeated (Important) Answers
B.A/B.Sc 5th Semester
Easy2Siksha Sample Papers
PSYCHOLOGY
(Abnormal & Clinical Psychology – I)
Based on 4-Year GNDU Queson Paper Trend (2021–2024)
Must-Prepare Quesons (80–100% Probability)
SECTION–A (Nature of Abnormality & Psychopathology)
1. DSM Classicaon System – Advantages & Disadvantages
Appeared in: 2021 (Q1a), 2024 (Q1)
Probability for 2025: (100%)
Always repeated — DSM system is the foundaon of clinical diagnosis. Focus on DSM–V
features, pros/cons, and comparison with ICD.
Ans: The DSM Classification System – Advantages and Disadvantages
Imagine walking into a huge library. Each book tells a story about someone’s emotions,
thoughts, and behaviors — some happy, some sad, some confusing. Now, picture that
library without any shelves, titles, or categories. Everything is mixed up. Finding one
book about “anxiety” would feel impossible.
This is exactly how the world of mental health was before the DSM (Diagnostic and
Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) came into existence. Psychologists and
psychiatrists around the world were facing the same problem — they knew that people
suffered from different mental issues, but there was no common system to name,
define, or classify them. Everyone was using their own way to describe a disorder,
leading to confusion and miscommunication.
So, to bring clarity and unity, experts created a manual — a kind of “dictionary of
mental disorders.” This manual is called the DSM, and it changed the entire way we
understand and diagnose mental illnesses.
What Is the DSM?
DSM stands for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
It is published by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) and is widely used across
the world to classify, describe, and diagnose mental disorders.
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In simple words, DSM is like a map that guides doctors, psychologists, and researchers in
identifying different types of mental health problems. It helps them decide whether a
person’s behavior or emotional state fits a certain disorder’s pattern.
The DSM gives detailed descriptions of each mental disorder — what symptoms must be
present, how long they must last, and what should be ruled out before making a
diagnosis. It’s like a rulebook for diagnosing mental illnesses.
A Short Story of Its Development
The first version of DSM, known as DSM-I, was published in 1952. At that time, it only
had about 100 disorders listed. Over the years, mental health science expanded, and so
did the DSM.
Here’s a quick journey through its editions:
• DSM-I (1952): Focused mainly on reactions to stress and war experiences.
• DSM-II (1968): Included more disorders and focused on psychoanalytic ideas.
• DSM-III (1980): A big shift – it introduced clear diagnostic criteria and a
multiaxial system.
• DSM-IV (1994): Refined the categories, adding more research-based evidence.
• DSM-5 (2013): The latest edition (and its later text revisions). It removed the
multiaxial system and adopted a dimensional approach, recognizing that mental
disorders are not always black or white.
This growth shows how the DSM evolved from a simple list into a comprehensive
scientific tool.
Why Is the DSM Important?
Before diving into advantages and disadvantages, let’s understand its purpose.
The DSM helps professionals:
1. Diagnose accurately: So patients can receive the right treatment.
2. Communicate clearly: A psychiatrist in India and another in the USA can
understand the same diagnosis through DSM terms.
3. Conduct research: It provides standard definitions so scientists can study
disorders worldwide.
4. Educate students: It serves as a learning base for psychology and psychiatry
students.
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5. Policy-making: It helps governments and institutions design mental health
programs.
Now, let’s explore both sides of the coin — the advantages and disadvantages of this
classification system.
Advantages of the DSM Classification System
1. Provides a Common Language
Before DSM, diagnosing mental illness was like a guessing game. Different doctors used
different names for the same condition. DSM brought uniformity — a shared language
understood by professionals worldwide.
For instance, whether you say “Major Depressive Disorder” in India or Canada, every
mental health professional knows exactly what that means. This global understanding
helps in better communication, referrals, and cooperation among professionals.
2. Helps in Accurate Diagnosis
DSM provides clear criteria for each disorder — like a checklist.
For example, if someone has depression, the DSM states that the person must have
certain symptoms such as sadness, loss of interest, and changes in sleep or appetite for
at least two weeks.
This makes the diagnosis objective and consistent, reducing personal bias. Without it,
two doctors might give two completely different diagnoses for the same patient.
3. Guides Treatment and Therapy
Once the disorder is identified correctly, the next step is treatment.
The DSM helps in designing specific treatment plans. For example, a diagnosis of
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) would guide the doctor toward using Cognitive
Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and medication.
It gives mental health professionals a structured way to decide which therapy, medicine,
or approach will be most effective for that particular diagnosis.
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4. Encourages Research and Understanding
Since the DSM provides standardized definitions, researchers can study disorders more
effectively.
For example, if scientists want to study schizophrenia, they can rely on DSM’s definition
to select participants. This leads to more reliable research and global progress in
understanding mental health.
5. Reduces Stigma and Increases Awareness
Having an official manual like DSM helps society realize that mental disorders are real
medical conditions, not just “emotional weakness” or “madness.”
It promotes awareness and empathy, encouraging people to seek help instead of hiding
their suffering.
6. Helps in Insurance and Legal Systems
In many countries, the DSM diagnosis is necessary for insurance coverage.
When a mental illness is recognized officially, patients can get financial help for their
treatment. Similarly, in legal cases related to mental health, DSM definitions help in
making fair judgments.
7. Flexibility and Continuous Improvement
One of DSM’s biggest strengths is that it evolves with time.
Every new edition includes updated knowledge based on modern research. For example,
earlier versions considered homosexuality as a disorder, but it was removed from DSM-
III after research proved it is not a mental illness.
This adaptability shows DSM’s commitment to science and human rights.
Disadvantages of the DSM Classification System
While the DSM has many strengths, it is not perfect. Just like every tool, it has its own
limitations and criticisms. Let’s discuss them one by one.
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1. Labeling and Stigmatization
One major drawback is that once a person is diagnosed with a disorder, society often
starts labeling them.
For example, if someone is diagnosed with bipolar disorder, people may see them
differently or assume they are “unstable.”
This can lead to social rejection, discrimination, and loss of self-esteem.
Even though DSM aims to help, the labels it provides sometimes do the opposite by
increasing stigma.
2. Over-Diagnosis and Medicalization of Normal Life
Some critics say DSM turns normal emotions into disorders.
For instance, if someone feels deep sadness after a breakup, it might be normal grief —
but according to strict DSM criteria, it could be labeled as “Major Depressive Disorder.”
This can lead to over-diagnosis, unnecessary medication, and making people believe
they are “ill” when they are simply going through normal human experiences.
3. Cultural Bias
DSM is mainly based on Western culture and values, especially American standards.
However, mental health expressions vary across cultures.
For example, in some Asian cultures, people express depression through physical
symptoms like headaches or fatigue rather than sadness. DSM may not always capture
such differences accurately, making it less reliable in non-Western societies.
4. Influence of Pharmaceutical Companies
Some critics argue that DSM’s definitions of disorders sometimes benefit drug
companies.
When new disorders are added or criteria are broadened, more people qualify for
diagnosis — meaning more prescriptions and higher profits.
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This raises ethical concerns that DSM may unintentionally promote medical treatments
over natural or psychological therapies.
5. Lack of Clear Boundaries
Mental disorders often overlap — for example, anxiety and depression share many
symptoms.
DSM’s strict categories sometimes fail to capture this overlap.
A person might have symptoms of both disorders but not fully meet the criteria for
either. As a result, their condition may go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed.
6. Subjectivity and Reliability Issues
Even though DSM gives clear criteria, diagnosis still depends on the judgment of the
clinician.
Two professionals might interpret the same symptoms differently.
This subjectivity can affect the reliability of diagnosis, especially in complex cases where
symptoms are not clear-cut.
7. Changes Create Confusion
Whenever a new DSM edition is released, many disorders are added, removed, or
redefined.
This can confuse doctors, researchers, and patients. For example, in DSM-5, the removal
of the “multiaxial system” created mixed opinions among professionals.
Balancing the Good and the Bad
Despite these disadvantages, the DSM remains one of the most powerful and widely
used classification systems in the world.
It is not perfect, but it represents humanity’s continuous effort to understand the
complexity of the mind.
In real life, no system can capture the full depth of human emotion and behavior, but
DSM provides a structured path to start that understanding. It bridges the gap between
science and empathy, helping millions of people get proper help every year.
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Conclusion
The DSM Classification System is like a lighthouse in the vast ocean of mental health —
guiding doctors, psychologists, and patients through the fog of confusion.
Its advantages — such as providing a common language, ensuring accurate diagnosis,
guiding treatment, encouraging research, and promoting awareness — have made it a
cornerstone of modern psychiatry.
Yet, we must also be aware of its disadvantages — labeling, cultural bias, over-
diagnosis, and subjectivity — and use it carefully, with compassion and understanding.
In the end, DSM is not just a book of disorders; it is a reflection of our growing
awareness of the human mind — its struggles, strengths, and endless capacity to heal.
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