Reliability and validity in the diagnosis and Class. of SCHZ

• Explain what is meant by reliability in the diagnosis of schiz


  Reliability of diagnosis refers to whether different psychiatrists agree when diagnosing an individual with schizophrenia. i.e. their diagnosis would be reliable if they both agree that the patient does or does not have schizophrenia.
• Explain what is meant by the reliability of the class. of schizo

  Reliability of classification refers to whether different classification systems (e.g. DSM-5 and ICD-10) agree when describing schizophrenia. I.e. their classifications would be reliable if they both describe schizophrenia in the same way.
• Explain what is meant by validity of the diagnosis of schizo


  Validity of diagnosis refers to whether a psychiatrist can accurately identify whether a patient has schizophrenia or not. i.e. their diagnosis would be valid if they say they schizophrenia and they actually do.
• Explain what is meant by validity of the class. of schizo

  Validity of classification refers to whether the classification systems accurately describe schizophrenia. I.e. their classification would be valid if they accurately describe the symptoms experienced by those with schizophrenia.
• Identify the factors that can affect the reliability and validity of the diagnosis/ class. of schizo

  • The use of different classification systems
  • Co-morbidity
  • Symptom overlap
  • Culture bias
  • Gender bias
• Explain what is meant by the use of different classification systems and why it is an issue with the diagnosis / classification of schizophrenia. (Definition + example + what it questions)

  The use of different classification systems refers to the use of the DSM-5 and the ICD-10. E.g. The DSM-5 is used in America while the ICD-10 is typically used in the rest of the world. This questions the reliability of the classification of schizophrenia i.e. whether there is agreement in how it is described.
• Explain what is meant by the use of different classification systems and why it is an issue with the diagnosis / classification of schizophrenia. (why + why its an issue)

  • This is because the two classification system differ in terms of how they describe schizophrenia. The DSM-5 requires a positive symptom to be present however the ICD-10 does not (negative symptoms are sufficient). This is an issue because it results in a confused understanding regarding what schizophrenia actually is and whether a patient has it or not.
• Define co-morbidity and explain why it is an issue with the diagnosis / classification of schizophrenia. ( definition + example + what it questions)

  Co-morbidity refers to when two or more conditions exist in the same individual at the same time. E.g. individuals with schizophrenia are often diagnosed with another disorder alongside their schizophrenia such as depression. This questions the validity of the classification of schizophrenia i.e. whether it been accurately described.
• Define co-morbidity and explain why it is an issue with the diagnosis / classification of schizophrenia. (WHY)

  This is because if schizophrenia often presents alongside another condition, it would question whether they have been inaccurately described as two different disorders when in fact they may be better described as one. E.g. The depression experienced by those with schizophrenia may just be a part of their schizophrenia meaning that if their schizophrenia was treated their depression would go away.
• Define co-morbidity and explain why it is an issue with the diagnosis / classification of schizophrenia. ( why is it an issue)

  This is an issue because it means we may not have a great understanding the various symptoms that can be involved in schizophrenia and, in turn, what is the most appropriate and effective treatment to provide.
• Define symptom overlap and explain why it is an issue with the diagnosis / classification of schizophrenia. (define)

  Symptom overlap refers to when different disorders share the same symptoms.
• Define symptom overlap and explain why it is an issue with the diagnosis / classification of schizophrenia. ( Example)

  E.g. both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder involve symptoms such as delusions and avolition.
• Define symptom overlap and explain why it is an issue with the diagnosis / classification of schizophrenia. (what is it questioning)

   This questions the validity and reliability of the diagnosis of schizophrenia.
• This is because schizophrenia is not unusually high in African countries so its high diagnosis in Britain may be due to culture bias rather than people of Afro-Caribbean descent being schizo. Hearing voices is typically more acceptable in African cultures, the belief that it represents communication with ancestors. In Britain, hearing voices is typically seen as a sign of a mental health condition such as schizophrenia. This could lead to people of Afro-Caribbean receiving an inaccurate diagnosis of schizophrenia and could also result in an unreliable diagnosis of schizophrenia.
• Define culture bias and explain why it is an issue with the diagnosis / classification of schizophrenia. (Why is it an issue)

  This is an issue because a diagnosis of schizophrenia can lead to labelling, stigmatisation and difficulties gaining employment. A wrong/inconsistent diagnosis can also lead to problems of receiving inappropriate treatment (e.g. being given antipsychotics when they do not need them).
• Define gender bias and explain why it is an issue with the diagnosis / classification of schizophrenia. (definition)

  Gender bias refers to the over or under-diagnosis of schizophrenia in people of different genders.
• Define gender bias and explain why it is an issue with the diagnosis / classification of schizophrenia. ( example )

  E.g. women are typically under-diagnosed with schizophrenia
• Define gender bias and explain why it is an issue with the diagnosis / classification of schizophrenia. (what is it questioning)

   This questions the validity and reliability of the diagnosis of schizophrenia.
• the under-diagnosis of schizophrenia in women may be due to the fact that women typically experience less negative symptoms than men so are able to function better. Their cases may appear too mild for them to be diagnosed with schizophrenia. This could lead to women receiving an inaccurate diagnosis i.e. undiagnosed when has schiz - could also receive an unreliable diagnosis as it may depend on the gender of the psychiatrist diagnosing them female psychiatrists may be more aware of how schizophrenia presents differently in women so may disagree with male psychiatrists.
• Define gender bias and explain why it is an issue with the diagnosis / classification of schizophrenia. (why is it an issue)

   This is an issue because it could lead women into not receiving the support/treatment they need.