Figure -1: Taxonomy on mental healthcare (Garg M, 2023)
A mental health taxonomy categorizes mental health conditions based on
their symptoms, causes, and treatment options. The following are some
examples of mental healthcare taxonomies:
- A widely used taxonomy for mental health conditions, the Diagnostic
and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) was developed by the
American Psychiatric Association. Mental health professionals use it
to diagnose and treat mental health conditions based on symptoms and
diagnostic criteria.
- International Classification of Diseases (ICD): World Health
Organization (WHO) developed the ICD to categorize diseases and health
conditions, including mental health conditions. Globally, it is used
to classify and track health conditions and to inform public health
policies and programs.
- Biopsychosocial Model: Psychological, biological, and social factors
all contribute to mental health conditions under the biopsychosocial
model. To develop effective treatment strategies, it is important to
understand how these factors interact.
- Problem-Based Taxonomy: Problem-based taxonomy categorizes mental
health conditions based on the problems that individuals are
experiencing, such as anxiety, depression, or trauma. The purpose of
this taxonomy is to identify the specific problems that individuals
are experiencing and develop targeted interventions to address them.
- Dimensional Taxonomy: As opposed to specific diagnostic criteria, the
dimensional taxonomy categorizes mental health conditions based on the
severity and intensity of symptoms. To guide treatment planning, this
taxonomy is used to identify an individual’s level of impairment.