Which is better – icd-10 or dsm-iv for clinical practice and why?
DSM-IV is what is generally utilized in practice. The DSM is multi-axial (Axis I-Axis V) therefore allowing a complete picture of the individual. Also the ICD includes personality disorders on the same axis as other mental disorders, compared to the DSM which does not (Personality on Axis II) Also, the DSM contains 16 major categories of mental illness, whereas the ICD only contains 11 categories. Recall, that mental illness was NOT included in the ICD for many years.
