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. 2008 Feb 29;105(9):149–155. doi: 10.3238/arztebl.2008.0149

Table 3. Multiaxial classification scheme (from 17).

Axis Content
I Clinical-psychiatric syndrome
II Circumscribed developmental disorders
(dyslexia, maths dyslexia, motor and linguistic developmental deficits, etc)
III Intelligence level
(to exclude excessive demands made at school/in the job)
IV Physical symptoms
(to exclude somatogenic depression)
V Associated current, abnormal, psychosocial circumstances
(abnormal intrafamilial relationships, psychological/mental problems/deviant behavior or disabilities within the family, inadequate or distorted intrafamilial communication, abnormal educational conditions, abnormal immediate environment, acutely stressful life events, societal stress factors, chronic interpersonal stress with regard to school or work)
VI Global assessment of psychosocial functioning
(9 stages: "exceeding social functioning" to "deep and pervasive social impairments that require continual treatment")