Summary Thenosological organisationofDSM^IVand ICD^10 does notcapture the empirical structure of themood and anxietydisorders.Instead, they forma broadgroup of ‘internalising’ disorderswithtwo subclasses: distress disorders and feardisorders.This

As workgroups begin the task of revising the taxonomy of mental disorders and diagnostic criteria for DSM–V and ICD–11, the field has the opportunity to bring these classification schemes in line with current empirical research. Even if the DSM–V Task Force adopts a conservative approach, revising only those elements for which there is strong empirical support, certain sections stand to be radically revised. Only if nonscientific considerations play an important part in the revision – or lack thereof – will these sections see minor rather than major changes. We address here two such sections of DSM–IV: mood disorders and anxiety disorders.