Comments on: Final DSM 5 Approved by American Psychiatric Association

By: Jack

Jack — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 20:14:12 +0000

My question is about studies done using DSMIV criteria. For example, autism twin studies: Would there be some kind of conversion factor for studies using the CAST (childhood asperger syndrome test) as the selection factor?

How will future studies be able to be related to past studies? This is an important issue, since it can direct researchers in the most effective direction to study causes (i.e., genetic vs. environmental risk factors), of autism.

By: Bonnie

Bonnie — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 07:03:51 +0000

I am quite glad that the DSM-V has finally been accomplished. Of course, as a work, it will be updated, again, to comply with ongoing research. It is not perfect, of course. It is meant to be a guideline for professionals, who can elicit more details from their clients, in order to provide a more exact diagnosis of their problems. While inconsistencies still exist,such as duplication of symptoms, or overlapping criteria,it is better that the old DSM-IV has been updated,into the new DSM-V version, rather than utilizing criteria which no longer has any evidentiary validity, nor reliability. The DSM-V is merely a guideline–not the final word–but it is in the most current form that the APA could muster. While some diagnoses, and criteria, have been eliminated, others have been added and updated. It is up to the professional to determine what applies to the client, as always, and, while some criteria may no longer apply, professionals need to recognize the changes, and the research, and alter their services to insure that their clients will receive the best treatment that their client can receive. After all, a psychologist should be able to roll with the changes, right? Trying new things should not be met with resistance, especially by the professional community. If your client no longer falls within the criteria guidelines, perhaps your client is misdiagnosed, and you should rethink the details you have been provided to give a more accurate diagnosis.
I welcome the changes, and the new DSM-V.

By: Nancy

Nancy — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 19:01:01 +0000

I was in a workshop yesterday and it was stated that the PD section was being deleted. Is that true?

By: innerlight

innerlight — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 03:38:49 +0000

So there is new section on Trauma?
What about the proposed Developmental Trauma Disorder, authored by Bessel van der Kolk and colleagues?
DTD essentially acknowledges that trauma can occur from “non-life-threatening”stressors (such as physical and emotional abuse and neglect) that are experienced over a prolonged period of time.
In my opinion and experience, the result of such stressors is every bit as debilitating and dangerous as any other mental illness, and should therefore be accounted for in the DSM, which seems to serve as the gateway to obtaining financial and psychological support in order to recover.
An excellent description of DTD is at:
http://www.attachmentdisordermaryland.com/traumadisorders.htm
I am a patient. I have been diagnosed in the past with BPD, GAD and Bipolar II. Non of these fit as well as DTD for me. I have had a lifetime of suicidal ideation and attempts and social anxiety attacks. Essentially, it seems that because I am able to articulate what is going on so clearly, I am not mentally ill, and have no disability.
Trauma survivors get left in the dust until we get desperate enough to act out. This must be changed.

By: pasinaustin

pasinaustin — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 18:03:11 +0000

It is a complete travesty that Parental Alienation Syndrome will not be part of the DSM V. It is also surprising that the board of trustees state that more research is needed, especially since there is so much out there already. Nonetheless, this should not discourage all of us to expand our efforts and give them more than enough research, so that when the next release is due, their excuse will not be valid.

By: Kirsten

Kirsten — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 20:06:47 +0000

I disagree with the rejection of hypersexual disorder. I also am of the firm thinking that pornography addiction exists. I wonder if those deciding diagnoses have personal reasons for rejection and acceptance.

By: Désirée Röver

Désirée Röver — Sun, 13 Jan 2013 14:27:33 +0000

Just like the DSM-IV, the DSM-V will be abused to prescribe medication: synthesized substances, foreign to the body, with often frightening results, like suicide, homicide and self mutilation.
So instead of concentrating on all the newly described and often ludicrous sounding disorders in the DSM-V, I plead for looking at the causes of symptoms and behaviour in people.
True health, physical and emotional, never is a question enough of medication or enough vaccines…
True health and wellbeing are created and maintained by a safe and effective nutritious diet (the correct balance in vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, trace elements), a safe, loving and nurturing environment…
And all of it starts before conception!

By: David Ley, PhD.

David Ley, PhD. — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 19:59:08 +0000

I personally think that the rejection of hypersexual disorder, aka sex addiction, is an ethical, scientifically-based decision. The belief in sex addiction, by both addicts and the sex addiction treatment industry, is more akin to a fath, than a scientific practice. This decision is merely the latest in many that show that there is poor science behind this pop-psychology concept. I hope that this decision leads to more people considering the questions of why there is such a discrepancy, between the believers and the skeptical scientific community. The sex addiction label obscures the high rates of comorbidity, moral issues, relationship issues, and socio-sexual values conflicts that are truly behind this alleged disorder. Rather than mere strengthening of resolve to “keep fighting” for sex addiction, I hope that this might spur greater open, non-defensive dialogue about what is actually going on here, and how people can be helped.

By: SemperFi96-03

SemperFi96-03 — Sun, 09 Dec 2012 16:24:08 +0000

Very disappointed that Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) was not included. My wife noticed something wrong with our daughter since about age 2. Diagnosed and started therapy at 4 years old. Now 5 years old and having issues in school because the teacher doesn’t know how to deal with her and the school district won’t help with special accommodations because its not a diagnoses in the DSM. The teacher attributes her difficulties to behavioral problems. These doctors that decides what goes in the DSM needs to take a closer look at SPD.

By: cavassi

cavassi — Sun, 09 Dec 2012 13:24:30 +0000

I agree with you WillsMom. I am sure you have heard of orphan drugs; Sensory Processing Disorder is a diagnosis that is stuck in the birth canal. I had hoped it would be seen as a psychiatric diagnosis; it appears to be recognized as an Occupational Therapy diagnosis. I remember early research in the 1960s that showed that children with autism had significant problems with cross-modal integration, a sign of sensory problems. I have tried to look to see if children with sensory problems might have autism, but that does not always comply. Unfortunately, the public, particularly insurance companies and government organizations, view the APA as the ultimate authority on mental health and the APA is reluctant to grant too much credence or credit to any other health professionals. They are “doctors” after all. But, I have usually found there is some room within categories to fit the problems that would otherwise fall between the cracks.

By: T.Whitt

T.Whitt — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 01:53:15 +0000

I am psychotherapist in the North Alabama area and I m interested in workshops in the area with training on the new DSM 5. When will it be ready to purchase?

By: WillsMom

WillsMom — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 17:43:14 +0000

My heart is broken that Sensory Prossessing Disorder did not make the list. We live with knowing this exists in my 4 1/2 year old boy every day. I’ll keep fighting the fight to educate people on this disorder. It’s real and it really exists in our children.

By: John M. Grohol, PsyD

John M. Grohol, PsyD — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 13:15:06 +0000

Unfortunately, I think you misunderstood what Newscientist was referring to — specifically, just the 5-trait system for diagnosing personality disorders was put into Section 3 — not all the personality disorders themselves.

Here’s the news release section on personality disorders:

Personality disorders: DSM-5 will maintain the categorical model and criteria for the 10
personality disorders included in DSM-IV and will include the new trait-specific
methodology in a separate area of Section 3 to encourage further study how this could be
used to diagnose personality disorders in clinical practice.

What’s being included in Section 3 (the area where conditions are listed needing further research) is the trait-specific methodology — not the personality disorders themselves.

The 10 personality disorders remain in the DSM 5 unchanged. The working group wanted to completely revamp how personality disorders were conceptualized and diagnosed. That revamping is to undergo further research.

By: Kathy Brannon

Kathy Brannon — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 05:17:25 +0000

“The section on personality disorders was the main casualty. The [APA] board backed a recommendation to exclude it from the main text and instead publish it in a section describing diagnoses requiring further study.”
~Newscientist, Dec. 3, 2012

By: Lemonade

Lemonade — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 14:19:27 +0000

What about Borderline disorder?