Document Type : Original Article
Author
Assistant professor
Abstract
The difficulties of current classifications of depression can not be considered independent of the general complications of psy chiatric classification. A tedious period of heated debate between the proponent of unitary vs pluralist views, and between the advocates of the categorical vs dimensional views didn't prove fruitful. Current classifications share two main characteristics I.e, they are " descriptive " and " categorical" . Our review of evidence regarding the classification of depression indicates that these two peculiarities are the main causes of stagnation of validity. In general, current classifications system have failed to attain their proposed goals. Our suggestion is that the efforts of researchers should be directed toward two parallel approaches. One approach may be called " systemic – dimensional" which can in fact lead to a comprehensive and valid classificatory system, still far from reach. The other approach is practical and problem because they embody neither of the above mentioned approachs.
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