New Psychiatric Diagnoses for a New Millennium

Revising the standard diagnostic manual for 2012 means revising our notions of mental normality

By M. Farbman Posted 05.27.2009 at 3:53 pm 3 Comments

Proportions of the Head Leonardo da Vinci

The world's changed a lot since 1994, and some of the signs of modern times -- obesity, Internet addiction - may find their way into the book that describes -- and guides diagnosis of -- psychiatric disorders. The latest Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, better known as DSM-V, will be landing with a massive thunk on physicians' and researchers' desktops in 2012, but until then, the American Psychiatric Association still has a lot of work to do in determining how the guide will be updated, the L.A. Times reports.

There are high stakes here - a DSM-sanctioned diagnosis can make a huge difference in treatment, insurance coverage, and perception of a disorder. But these are not easy decisions to make: "Some psychiatrists warn that the tome runs the risk of medicalizing the normal range of human behaviors; others vehemently argue that it must be broad enough to guide treatment of those who need it." Homosexuality was listed as a disorder in the second edition; one of the issues that has been discussed for the fifth edition is whether bitterness could be considered a mental disorder.

Since the last edition, researchers have developed a better understanding of the biological and genetic components of disorders. The new edition also is intended to describe people who suffer multiple disorders -- or symptoms of multiple disorders. As in many other areas of medicine, the issue of pharmaceutical industry influence has raised its head, with some doctors concerned that the DSM-V could pave the way for more drug therapies.

[Via the L.A. Times]

Previous Article: How Does That Bed of Nails Really Feel?

Next Article: Wolfram Co-Founder On Why Wolfram|Alpha Doesn't Need to Kill Google

Want to learn more about breakthroughs in electronics, medicine, nanotech, and more?
Subscribe to Popular Science and enter to win $5,000!

3 Comments

link to this comment

AngelieR

05/29/09 at 1:30 am

Man is a rational being. And man wanted to know everything and have answers to all questions especially with regards to human existence here on Earth. I admit that we are way too far on discovering all information about humanity and about our own body. As medical science advances, people are living longer making a lot of people want to improve memory so they can live out their golden years as sharp as a tack. An effort to improve memory is like making a fast cash advance to your own brain. There are a number of memory techniques out there to keep the brain working, a lot of mental exercises, and you can always try remembering money matters, as the math will help keep the old noggin in good shape. Tests of memory, recognition exercises, and a healthy appetite for reading all help, as they are credit repair with your own brain, and a good way to improve memory.

Check out: http://personalmoneystore.com/moneyblog/2009/05/23/cash-advance-tips-improve-memory/

link to this comment

nobs

from crystal lake, IL

05/29/09 at 8:27 am

As the American Psychiatric Association looks for new an innovative ways to stay alive and brand more things as 'mental illness' their book gets bigger and the drug companies smile and laugh all the way to the bank.

Maybe they'll do us all a favor and label psychiatric psychobabble as a symptom of a new trendy mental illness.

link to this comment

jerrydd

07/12/09 at 12:39 pm

jerrydd

Nobs is right as they basically made mothers an mental illness as they said anyone caring more about other than themselves was ill.

And there is a much wider range of sane than they say but that would cut into their money/gravy train.