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Overview of SPD and the Diagnostics Research Solution

Issues of Serious Psychological Distress (SPD) [e.g., depression] have been a major topic of news reports, scientific studies, and discussions among health care professionals and even Congress. Psychiatric News reported , "An estimated 24.6 million American adults, or 11.3 percent of U.S. residents over age 18, reported experiencing "serious psychological distress" during the preceding year, according to the 2005 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. More than an estimated 30 million adults reported experiencing at least one episode of major depression during their lives."

Depression is so widespread in this nation it has even taken a significant toll on our armed forces. There have been recent months where the number of fatalities among U.S. armed services personnel as a result of suicide has exceeded those from combat operations.

From a medical perspective, there is little doubt that mental attitude affects the overall health of patients and plays a significant role in the level of success with medical interventions.

A major challenge has been in establishing a methodology that is fast, efficient, and effective for physicians to properly monitor patients while under their care. The medical community has needed a method to provide critical preliminary information about emotional state for the purpose of direct intervention or referral when necessary.

Diagnostics Research Corporation is a technology-based research and assessment company that specializes in measurement and evaluation of adult (18+) feelings, beliefs, and anticipated behaviors. Assessments are provided electronically to respondents online and data is processed, scored, and delivered to clients in real time. The measurement scaling used is a proprietary device called the Item Response Graphic System, or IRGS©. The IRGS© has been successfully used tens of thousands of times across a wide variety of demographics, primarily in the training and psychological assessment fields.

Diagnostics Research has made a major movement into the area of initial psychological assessment of potential depression, anxiety, social isolation, and PTSD. Created by specialists in the areas of psychometrics (psychological test design and analysis) and forensic psychological therapy, the CES-DM© and MDDS© are emerging as potential primary tools in the diagnosis and categorization of mental/emotional distress. Research and development continues in the field with the support of client-practitioners in internal medicine, cardiology, hepatology/ gastroenterology, and more.

¹Bender, Eve
http://pn.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/full/41/21/13-a
'Serious Psychological Distress' Affects Millions of Americans
Psychiatr News 2006 41: 13-a