NIMH-DIS
Also written as: NIMH-DIS — National Institute of Mental Health Diagnostic Interview Schedule
National Institute of Mental Health Diagnostic Interview Schedule, a structured interview for psychiatric diagnosis in community surveys.
Full Definition
A fully structured diagnostic interview developed by the National Institute of Mental Health for use in large-scale epidemiological studies. The NIMH-DIS was designed to be administered by trained lay interviewers rather than clinicians, making it cost-effective for community-based research. It generates diagnoses according to specific diagnostic criteria and includes modules for major psychiatric disorders including mood disorders, anxiety disorders, substance use disorders, and psychotic disorders. The instrument has undergone multiple revisions and has been widely used in landmark studies such as the Epidemiologic Catchment Area study.
Usage
Usage note: Always specify as NIMH-DIS to distinguish from other diagnostic interview schedules.
In Context
- "The NIMH-DIS was selected for its proven reliability in large community samples." — Study protocol description
- "Training for NIMH-DIS administration required two weeks of intensive preparation for lay interviewers." — Research methodology report