I’m sicker than I thought I was
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DSM: Get your hernia belt on for the fifth edition. |
One thing I like about being a psychologist is that you get the occasional call from journalists asking interesting questions. The one who phoned the other day was making a radio programme about new mental illnesses. She was referring to the soon-to-be released fifth edition of the diagnostic ‘Bible’, the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of the American Psychiatric Association). This newest version is set to classify even more experiences and behaviours as ‘mental disorders’ than its predecessors. For example, binge eating is to become a disease, and in future you may also need expert treatment if you spend too long in front of your computer (‘internet addiction’). Each edition of the DSM introduces us to new diseases. The first edition, published in 1952, was 132 pages long. The 1987 edition (DSM III-R) was 569 pages. By the time the current edition was published in 2000, it had swelled to 943 pages. I wonder how many pages long DSM-V will be, and how many strong men it will take to lift it.
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A pill for every ill? So what might greater diagnosis mean? |
There's also interesting comment on this agenda from within psychiatry of late:doi:10.1192/bjp.bp.112.109447
I agree with this. We should be able to be compassionate towards each other's mental suffering for what it is rather than distorting it with unhelpful and stigmatising labels like 'schizophrenia'. If you support the abolishing of the schizophrenia label, visit http://www.schizophreniainquiry.org/Sue Holttum
A diagnosis can be a beginning aspect of healing. Sometimes it can give one the validation that yes something is wrong and I'm not alone in my illness. The problem begins when one relies solely upon medication to heal. Many wait for that "magic pill' to kick in. Unfortunately that is wasted time. Medication can balance you so you can begin to move forward. It is up to the individual to understand that the work that must be done to heal comes from within themselves.If we continue to reach for medications to derail every challenge or symptom we face then we forever are continuing a life of maintaining a mental illness lifestyle.Many of the challenges and symptoms can be part of the human experience. A result of our life story. Working through the challenges and symptoms through human engagement is a foundation for healing. The outcome is that we become stronger, wiser and more resilient. A diagnosis can change depending on how we present during the evaluation. It's a snapshot in time of who you really are.Each illness is unique to the individual. So is the healing process. Don't find yourself waiting for the right medication or therapy to begin the healing process. You have everything you need right now to begin. Allow yourself to become vulnerable to the healing process.
I like the image with head made of pills. If you know the author please contact me because I would like to use it in a commercial way. I'll be very greatful. yoanna.g@onet.eu
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