Our current symptom-based classification system, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5), relies on subjectively defined, discrete categories. There is a growing recognition in the field that these diagnostic categories are not carving nature at its joints. Mental health disorders are highly comorbid with one another and studies from epidemiology, genetics, and clinical neuroimaging do not support the current demarcation between the DSM-5 categories. A movement is underway to use data-driven approaches to redefine how we classify mental health disorders. The purpose of this webinar is to introduce participants to the concerns raised about our current mental health classification system, to become familiar with the research exploring alternative taxonomies, and to understand how this may impact the future classification of internalizing disorders (anxiety and depressive disorders) in particular.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand the concerns related to the current conceptualization of mental health disorders under the DSM-5
2. Learn about alternative taxonomies to classify mental health symptoms
3. Recognize the implications of this research for the classification of anxiety and depressive disorders