Spectrum disorder

A spectrum disorder in psychiatry is hard to define precisely but is a mental disorder having something to do with a spectrum of subtypes or closely related disorders. The spectrum model is proposed as a more coherent way of understanding psychiatric symptomatology.

Additional recommended knowledge

Daily Visual Balance Check

Weighing the right way

Don't let static charges disrupt your weighing accuracy

Some proposed spectra

The widely-used DSM and ICD manuals are generally limited to categorical diagnoses but do recognize some subsyndromal subtypes: schizotypal personality disorder, dysthymia and cyclothymia. Some proposed spectra include a bipolar spectrum, a schizophrenia spectrum, an autism spectrum, a Post-Traumatic Stress Spectrum, an obsessive-compulsive spectrum, a social anxiety spectrum, and a Panic-Agoraphobia Spectrum. Other 'higher-level' spectra are often proposed, which categorize disorders into even fewer overarching spectra.