Abstract
Neuropsychology has long struggled with issues of diagnosis. As neuropsychologists, we are trained in the language of brain–behavior relationships. However, most patient populations carry diagnoses made through application of behavioral criteria determined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) (American Psychiatric Association, 2000). The DSM is decidedly and purposely not brain-related or in any way neuroanatomically based. Although many of the conditions listed in the DSM have cognitive and emotional components, in most instances, these components are not directly measured with cognitive or psychological tests to make the diagnosis. This chapter reviews several disorders that are listed in the DSM-IV. These are behaviorally defined diagnoses. Instead of listing specific cognitive testing criteria, the DSM infers the cognitive and emotional components comprising these conditions through behavioral observations or report. These facts have important implications for neuropsychological testing in that the relationships between DSM behaviorally defined disorders and cognitive, neuropsychological, or psychological tests are not clearly known or documented.
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