Criticism of the new DSM

[Ales2]

Just an article for general reading:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/46329572/ns/health/

Best to everyone.

A.
 

[BonesMS]

Interesting.......

I fear that the DSM-5 will turn out to be a nightmare for everyone.  People who need the diagnosis of Asperger's won't be able to get one, pedophiles will get a "Get Out of Jail Free card" and continue to rape again, and others who are naturally shy, are artistically eccentric, or grieve normally are labeled "mentally ill".  THAT SUCKS!!!!   

Bones

[sKePTiKal]

...  "oppositional defiant disorder" - a condition in which a child "actively refuses to comply with majority's requests" and "performs deliberate actions to annoy others."
"That basically means children who say 'no' to their parents more than a certain number of times," Kinderman said. "On that criteria, many of us would have to say our children are mentally ill."

and what happens when an adult uses the "no" of boundary-speak? or anyone in the vicinity is annoyed by actions of another - who is just being themselves?


tsk-tsk.... I think I agree with the guy who said we don't need any more labels to be able to adequately help people. When systems and processes grow too large; too complex... the natural phenomenon Entropy sets in - and the system or process ceases to work at all.

[JustKathy]

This is just terrible. Under these new guidelines, an N mother is perfectly normal, while the child who tries to defend him/herself will be diagnosed as having "oppositional defiant disorder."

[Ales2]

I agree with all of you - Bones, Phoenix and Kathy!

[BonesMS]

This is just terrible. Under these new guidelines, an N mother is perfectly normal, while the child who tries to defend him/herself will be diagnosed as having "oppositional defiant disorder."

Now THAT is a NIGHTMARE!!!!

Bones

[sKePTiKal]

Kathy's right - this "diagnosis" will just be another tool for N-parents to use to discredit and humiliate their children and confirm the long-suffering martyrdom of the Nparent.

[SilverLining]

I see the workings here of big pharma.  There are about 2.1 million incarcerated people in this country.  Surely they can all be labeled with some sort of mental disease.  Then they can be medicated at public expense.  Say $20 a day minimum times 2.1 million.  It adds up to real money in a hurry.  And that's just considering the prisoners.  How about people who can't hold down a job because they won't follow instructions?  Label them with "ODD" and they are candidates for treatment at public or employer expense. 

Half the population in this country takes at least one prescription drug.  With that kind of market penetration, the drug companies have to get creative in order to keep growing.  

[Hopalong]

On the other hand, I had an employee with an ODD daughter and the child's behavior was nightmarish.
I remember it was a deep relief to the mother because nobody could previously comprehend how horrendous the parenting trauma was.

The degree of NO was not "healthy child emerging."

Hops

[sKePTiKal]

Half the population in this country takes at least one prescription drug.

The degree of NO was not "healthy child emerging."

Right, Hops. There really are kids who meet the diagnosis criteria. I've known a couple. I'm just saying I know how easy it is - especially with teenagers - to misdiagnose; to reach for an easy explanation that very well could be wrong.

My youngest D was one who suffered through it being used incorrectly (and gleefully like a club by NDad) and it took 20 years for her to work through being angry and hurt about it. The family counselor wouldn't even let her tell her side of the story; would not listen to her... only NDad and step-mom were believed and able to tell their story. Mom had to step in and rescue her. And even then, NDad couldn't control himself. He would call and within 5 minutes would be screaming all kinds of accusations and obscenities at her over the phone, as she calmly and tentatively tried to reason with him...until I took the phone and told him to you know what and hung up on him. She was more mature and in control of her behavior at 15 than he was at 40-something. But it was the fact that he had this "label" - it was his validation and justification for continuing to heap abuse on her. THAT'S what scares me Hops.

And it's part of the reason for SL's statistic. Rather than investing the time and effort - and provide the necessary support & encouragement to make lifestyle changes - "there's a pill for that". The same situation exists: some people really do need the medication... but we risk falling into accepting the idea that medication is worth the side-effects (known and unknown) ALL THE TIME in order to artificially maintain an arbitrary standard (a one size fits all value). And if one does suffer a side-effect, then another pill is prescribed, and another, and...

well, I guess this isn't the only change to the DSM we might talk about either.

[SilverLining]

Rather than investing the time and effort - and provide the necessary support & encouragement to make lifestyle changes - "there's a pill for that". The same situation exists: some people really do need the medication... but we risk falling into accepting the idea that medication is worth the side-effects (known and unknown) ALL THE TIME in order to artificially maintain an arbitrary standard (a one size fits all value). And if one does suffer a side-effect, then another pill is prescribed, and another, and...

One of my recent FOO stories is a good illustration.  My 11 year old nephew has been having trouble in school.  Nothing real serious, just inattention and not performing up to potential in some subjects.  The instant expert conclusion is "ADD" and "executive function issues"  with suggested chemical treatment.  Knowing a lot more about his environment than the school officials, I have to wonder about the effects of so much exposure to my nutty sister and parents, but this will not get explored if the ADD diagnosis is accepted.  He could go his entire life thinking a problem is biological without ever exploring the effects of environment (essentially following in the footsteps of my siblings).  I think he may also be developing AS traits similar to my father, and this will not be properly addressed if the ADD diagnosis is considered final.    

Fortunately his father is skeptical, and isn't immediately going for the chemical cure.  They are starting with some basic lifestyle changes, such as limiting video games.  Maybe some behavioral changes while his brain is developing and pliable can have a more positive long term effect than chemical treatment.