Classification in psychiatry: Does it deliver in schizophrenia and depression?

Background: In the context of ongoing work to develop the next iteration of psychiatric classification systems, we briefly review the performance of current systems against their own stated objectives, for two major diagnostic groupings.

Discussion: In the major groupings of schizophrenia and depression, experience over the last 50 years has highlighted particular inadequacies in the utility and validity of available classifications.

Summary: Advances in psychiatric knowledge and practice notwithstanding, present classification systems would be enhanced by the incorporation of dimensional components.

Magnetic resonance imaging abnormalities in young euthymic patients with bipolar affective disorder.

Temporal lobe and limbic structures may be abnormal in bipolar disorder. T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans frequently show deep white matter lesions. MRI was performed on 50 young (19-39 years) euthymic patients with bipolar disorder and 26 controls.

A study of the use of seclusion in an acute psychiatric service.

Objective: In recent years, increased attention has been paid to significantly restrictive practices taking place in psychiatric services in New Zealand. The aim of this study was to prospectively examine the frequency of use of seclusion and the factors associated with its use in the acute general adult psychiatric wards serving the Waikato area.

Methods: Information on the use of seclusion and relevant demographic data were collected over a 9-month period in 2000.