Classification of Mental Disorders Based on Temperament

Different paradoxical theories are available regarding psychiatric disorders. The current study aimed to establish a more comprehensive overall approach. This basic study examined ancient medical books. “The Canon” by Avicenna and “Comprehensive Textbook of Psychiatry” by Kaplan and Sadock were the most important and frequently consulted books in this study. Four groups of temperaments were identified: high active, high flexible; high active, low flexible; low active, low flexible; and low active, high flexible. When temperament deteriorates personality, non-psychotic, and psychotic psychiatric disorders can develop. Temperaments can provide a basis to classify psychiatric disorders. Psychiatric disorders can be placed in a spectrum based on temperaments.