Is it time to update the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)? I think so and experts agree.

From an article published in the L.A. Times on May 26, 2009:

“The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, commonly called DSM, is getting an update. Now experts must decide what is a disorder and what falls in the range of normal human behavior.

Over the next 18 months, psychiatrists will hammer out a draft of the fifth edition of the American Psychiatric Assn.’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, more commonly called DSM-V. Nowhere have the discussions been more heated, the ramifications most vividly foretold, than here at the organization’s annual meeting.

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.

But all agree that the so-called bible of psychiatry is expected to be considerably more nuanced and science-based than the last edition, DSM-IV, published in 1994.”

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-sci-mental-disorder26-2009may26,0,3081443.story

The DSM has not been updated since 1994. That’s 15 years. A lot of research has been done since that time. While some professionals in mental health care practices are aware of these findings, many still follow the DSM-IV to the letter. It’s simply outdated and an update could bring significant changes in the diagnosis and treatment of many mental illnesses.

Unfortunately, the new edition of the DSM may be heavily influenced by drug companies.

From the same article in the L.A. Times:

“A study published online in the current issue of the journal Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics found that of 20 work group members writing clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and major depression, 18 had at least one financial tie to industry.

A commentary in the May 7 New England Journal of Medicine said that 56% of DSM-V task force and committee members have industry ties.”

I suppose we will have to wait and see the outcome. Hopefully we will see more improvements than pharmaceutical company recommendations.

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