ABOUT THE INCREASING INFLUENCE OF CLINICA L DIAGNOSES UPON PSYCHOTHERAPEUTIC AND PSYCHODIAGNOSTIC RESEARCH AND PRACTICE

By introducing operationalized diagnoses in the DSM-III, objectivity a nd reliability of clinical diagnoses are clearly improved. Also the va lidity in the sense of utility can be judged more positively. The seve rity of mental disorders and their modification by psychotherapy (trea tment outcome) have to be multivariably measured on the level of sympt oms according to the criteria of the respective clinical diagnoses. In research, the development of specific theories and specific treatment programs for specific disorders gains incresing importance. As a resu lt, clinical diagnoses become relevant for treatment selection in clin ical practice.