This paper deals with some of the issues that affect the understanding and functioning of descriptive psychopathology (DP). The latter remains the language of description in psychiatry and the basis for her nosological constructs. DP makes assumptions concerning the nature of its object and its underlying causes (i.e. makes use of the medical model). DP needs historical, clinical and numerical recalibration. It is suggested that in some cases, and against traditional psychometric principles, some instruments will have to be constructed that show flexibility and can be varied according to the descriptive needs presented by individual cases.

This paper deals with some of the issues that affect the understanding and functioning of descriptive psychopathology (DP). The latter remains the language of description in psychiatry and the basis for her nosological constructs. DP makes assumptions concerning the nature of its object and its underlying causes (i.e. makes use of the medical model). DP needs historical, clinical and numerical recalibration. It is suggested that in some cases, and against traditional psychometric principles, some instruments will have to be constructed that show flexibility and can be varied according to the descriptive needs presented by individual cases.