What Are The Five Axes Of A DSM-5 Diagnosis?

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Multiaxial Diagnostic System of the DSM-IV-TR - \"The Five Axes\"

The DSM-IV-TR uses a five level diagnostic system to classify illnesses and disorders. When considered together, these 5 levels give the treatment provider a complete diagnosis that includes factors influencing your psychiatric condition. This is important for effective treatment planning.

The five levels are called “axes” and are defined as follows:

Axis I is reserved for clinical disorders and developmental and learning disorders. Disorders that may be present on Axis I include:

• Panic Disorder
• Generalized Anxiety Disorder
• Social Phobia
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
• Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
• Specific Phobia

Axis II is for personality disorders or mental retardation. Disorders that may appear on Axis II include:

• Borderline Personality Disorder
• Histrionic Personality Disorder
• Dependent Personality Disorder
• Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder

Axis III is for medical and/or physical conditions or disorders. For example:

• Hyperthyroidism
• Mitral Valve Prolapse (MVP)

Axis IV indicates factors contributing to, or affecting, the current psychiatric disorder and treatment outcomes. These include:

• Lack of an adequate support system
• Social issues
• Educational problems
• Problems with work
• Financial difficulties
• Legal problems
• Other psychosocial and environmental problems

Axis V is for the GAF or global assessment functioning. This is a 100-point scale that the mental health professional uses to describe the patient’s overall level of performance in usual daily activities and social, occupational, academic and interpersonal functioning.

<sub>Source:

American Psychiatric Association. \"Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th ed., text revision\" 2000 Washington, DC: Author.</sub>

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