Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Multi-axial system The DSM-IV organizes each psychiatric diagnosis into five levels (axes) relating to different aspects of disorder or disability: Axis I: clinical disorders, including major mental disorders, as well as developmental and learning disorders Axis II: underlying pervasive or personality conditions, as well as mental retardation Axis III: Acute medical conditions and physical disorders. Axis IV: psychosocial and environmental factors contributing to the disorder Common Axis I disorders include depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, ADHD, phobias, and schizophrenia. Common Axis II disorders include personality disorders: paranoid personality disorder, schizoid personality disorder, schizotypal personality disorder, borderline personality disorder, antisocial personality disorder, narcissistic personality disorder, histrionic personality disorder, avoidant personality disorder, dependant personality disorder, obsessive-compulsive personality disorder, and mental retardation. Developmental disorders include autism and mental retardation, disorders which are typically first evident in childhood Personality disorders are clinical syndromes which have a more long lasting symptoms and encompass the individual's way of interacting with the world. They include Paranoid, Antisocial, and Borderline Personality Disorders. Common Axis III disorders include brain injuries and other medical/physical disorders which may aggravate existing diseases or present symptoms similar to other disorders. Physical conditions such as brain injury or HIV/AIDS that can result in symptoms of mental illness are included here. Axis IV: Severity of Psychosocial Stressors Events in a persons life, such as death of a loved one, starting a new job, college, unemployment, and even marriage can impact the disorders listed in Axis I and II....