Axis IV records "psychological stressors" or external events that happen in a person's life that causes them to have a psychological problem. Debt, such as the inability to pay hostpital bills, would fall on this axis.

Axis I refers to the principle disorder that needs attention, such as major depressive disorder. Axis II lists any personality disorders that may be causing the problem described in Axis I. An example of a disorder that would be listed under Axis II is paranoid personality disorder. Axis III lists any medical or neurological problems that would be relevant to the patient's psychological problems. An example of a problem that would be listed under Axis III is severe asthma.

A double blind study is a study in which information that may change the results is kept both from the experimenter and from the participant. This is to keep the results of the study as neutral and unbiased as possible.

Race, gender, SES, and family history all play roles in the development (or non-development) of a disorder. For example, women are more likely to develop most psychological disorders, especially mood and anxiety disorders, but men are more likely to develop substance abuse disorders. Race can also impact vulnerability for certain disorders and low SES is associated with higher rates of many disorders, such as anxiety disorders. Family history is perhaps the most significant risk factor because genetics play a large role in whether someone is likely to develop a specific disorder.

If there is any connection between family size and psychopathology, it has not been researched or documented and is therefore has not been directly indicated as a strong risk factor.

Common social biases include gender, race, economic class, ethnicity, and many more. Many are not even conscious that they carry these prejudices, and the best we can hope for improvement is to become aware of and change these biases as a society. Current statistics suggest that African-American males are more likely to be diagnostics as psychotic than Caucasian males in instances of subject abuse. This is an example of stereotype and prejudice intersecting professional diagnosis in an increadibly detrimental and socially dangerous manner; even though the individuals may display the same symptoms, they are given different diagnoses.

One of the major practical concerns with giving a person an official diagnosis is that it may become hard for a person to escape the label of that diagnosis. For instance, if a person is diagnosed as schizophrenic, observers may already have a preconceived notion of that person and behave differently towards them. If the diagnosed person sees they are treated as different, this may reinforce negative behaviors and perpetuate the stigma. Even if the person diagnosed as schizophrenic shows positive progress, observers may still have trouble thinking of them as a healthy, stable person.

The lines are rather blurry, but cases are considered early onset Alzheimer's when diagnosis occurs in the 40s or 50s. Along with the age of onset, early-onset diagnosis is based on symptomatic criteria. Unfortunately, the only way to determine the exact class of dementia, an autopsy is required to examine brain tissue.

Although brain tissue samples are the most accurate way to determine diagnosis, this is only done during autopsies. Brain scans, including both fMRIs and CTs, are some of the most accurate and non-invasive modes of diagnosis. Combined with conversation analysis, specialists are able to connect particular neurological degeneration with inappropriate social behavior and cognition.

Early warning signs of Alzheimer's disease include feeling confused about time and location, changes in personality and inhibited coordination. The disease follows a set of stages, but everyone expresses the symptoms differently. Alzheimer's can be easily misdiagnosed in early stages because of such deeply internalized symptoms.

The DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) 5 is the latest, not only, edition of this guidebook for psychologists. The DSM helps psychologists diagnose their patients and does not offer explanations for the origins of disorders. Homosexuality used to be listed as a disorder in earlier editions of the DSM but is not included in the DSM 5.

Because narcissists are so focused on themselves and their own needs, they often neglect the needs of others, sometimes even exploiting these others for their own gain.