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:
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.