RDoC (Research Domain Criteria)

Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) is a framework developed by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) to better understand mental health disorders. Unlike traditional methods that classify disorders by symptoms alone, RDoC integrates multiple levels of information—such as genetics, brain functionality, behavior, and environmental factors—into research. This approach aims to identify how different psychological and biological processes relate to one another, enabling a more nuanced understanding of mental health. Ultimately, RDoC seeks to improve diagnosis and treatment by focusing on the underlying mechanisms of mental illness rather than just the visible symptoms.