The "axial" classification system begun with DSM-III (1980) requires the diagnostician to consider five separate (and in theory orthogonal or independent) aspects of the patient:

• Axis I

• Clinical Disorders

• Other Conditions That May Be a Focus Of Clinical Attention

• Axis II

• Personality Disorders

• Mental Retardation

• Axis III

• General Medical Condidtion

• Axis IV

• Psychosocial and Environmental Problems

• Axis V

• Global Assessment of Functioning

Consider these various approaches to understanding and treating the individuals drescribed in each of the brief case histories.