Which Mental Health Conditions Were Axis I Disorders

Which Mental Health Conditions Were Axis I Disorders PTSD Diagnosis Print Which Mental Health Conditions Were Axis I Disorders? By Matthew Tull, PhD twitter Matthew Tull, PhD is a professor of psychology at the University of Toledo, specializing in post-traumatic stress disorder. Learn about our editorial policy Matthew Tull, PhD Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on July 10, 2016 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Steven Gans, MD Updated on September 18, 2019 Dusica Paripovic/Moment Open/Getty Images More in PTSD Diagnosis Causes Symptoms Treatment Coping Related Conditions PTSD and the Military If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, you likely want to know more about the condition, including why it was classified as an Axis I disorder by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV).   Changes in Axis Disorders From DSM-IV to DSM-5 Published by the American Psychiatric Association, the DSM is the mental health bible of sorts. The DSM-IV organized all psychiatric disorders and other problems into five different categories or axes. The five classifications helped mental health professionals give patients a comprehensive diagnosis that includes symptoms and the wide range of factors that amount to a patients mental health. Making a diagnosis in any of the axes also helped health care professionals communicate a patients needs to an insurance company.?? The  DSM-5 debuted in 2013 and adopted a  nonaxial method of categorizing mental health disorders. The first three axes in DSM-IV were combined in the same category in the fifth and latest edition. Also, the last two axes are grouped together in DSM-V. With this review of the disorders, the DSM-IV classified as Axis I, learn more about what PTSD is and some of the other mental health conditions that belonged to the same category. Examples of Axis Disorders Axis I disorders tend to be the most commonly found in the public. They include  anxiety disorders, such as  panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and  post-traumatic stress disorder. Other examples of Axis I disorders are as follows: Mood Disorders (major depression, bipolar disorder, etc.)Eating Disorders (anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, etc.)Psychotic DisordersDissociative DisordersSubstance Use Disorders Axis II disorders include developmental disorders and personality disorders such as borderline personality disorder, the symptoms of which can usually be spotted in childhood and create lifelong challenges. Axis III disorders refer to medical or neurological issues with the potential to give rise to psychiatric problems. Axis IV disorders refer to psychiatric problems caused by recent environmental and psychosocial stressors. This includes the death of a loved one or a major life change, such as getting laid off or having a spouse leave. These stressors can compromise diagnosis and treatment of a mental health condition.  Lastly, Axis V refers to an individuals ability to function in life.?? PTSD and Anxiety Disorders PTSD is considered an anxiety disorder. People with this diagnosis typically have witnessed or experienced an event in which someones life or their own life or well-being was seriously put in danger. Members of the armed forces, rape victims or armed robbery victims are examples of people who commonly  experience PTSD. The condition is considered an anxiety disorder because its symptoms include feelings such as hyper-vigilance or jumpiness, difficulty focusing and the tendency to become easily irritated. In addition, people with PTSD also tend to suffer from another anxiety disorder, such as substance use disorder.?? Seeking Help If you suspect that you or a loved one has PTSD or another mental health disorder, dont hesitate to seek treatment. A mental health professional can give you strategies for coping with the disease or managing the symptoms so that they dont derail your life. These professionals may also prescribe drugs that make day-to-day life with a mental health disorder easier to bear.?? Simply speaking to a neutral party about your experiences can be uplifting as well. What you discuss with a mental health provider is confidential. Reaching out to get help is the first step in the recovery process. The 9 Best Online Therapy Programs