The Carolina Nosology of Destructive Behavior (CNDB)

This article sets forth a multiaxial system for cataloging individuals who manifest destructive behavior toward themselves, others, or property. An initial codification to describe the characteristics of the destructive behavior of the individual is presented, followed by a description of a quaternary axial system which catalogs in a clinically relevant manner, individuals engaging in destructive behavior. The four axes presented and developed are Axis A--a medical diagnosis axis, Axis B--an axis of psychological correlates, Axis C--an axis of biological correlates, and Axis D--an axis of moral/cultural correlates. This nosology is proposed in order to standardize the coding of human destructive behavior. It is intended to be used by members of the clinical and research communities in order to compare patient types and their relationship to treatment interventions.