DSM V Proposals Bring Big Changes

The proposed DSM V, the primary psychiatric manual, is about to bring big changes. The proposed changes will add cutting as a recognized disorder not just a symptom of another diagnosis, and bing eating will  be recognized as its own separate disorder.  Bi-polar disorder for children, which is a diagnosis that has increased over the last 15 years at geometric rate, will be reclassified under a new heading such as "temper dsyregulation disorder."  Perhaps one of the most controversial changes will be that Aspergers and PDD-NOS will officially fall within the heading autism spectrum disorder.  The most welcome change will be that the term mental retardation will be retired and the new term will be intellectual disability.  The criteria to meet this new diagnosis will also be refined for more accurate diagnosis.  Overall the DSM V will downplay the checklist means of diagnosis and will instead emphasize qualitative considerations that are more specific to the individual. The public and professionals will be able to comment on the proposals until April 20, 2010. 

 I will be posting my own commentary on the blog and at the DSM website, but I wanted to get this up and publicized with the immediacy it deserves.

Comments

[Meriditht]

I thought you might like this humorous little video about DSM V. It’s called, “Is Being Human a Mental Disorder?”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYBkrlnTgi8