Dsm IV: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders

Dsm IV: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders | American Psychiatric Association | Essential for psychology, counseling, and social work major

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Dsm IV: Diagnostic...

	Dsm IV: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders American Psychiatric Association American Psychiatric Association, 1994 - 886 pages average customer review:based on 10 reviews
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highly recommended

Long awaited new edition of the standard reference on the classification of mental disorders, commonly called DSM. For psychiatrists, psychologists, libraries, coding and reimbursement personnel. DNLM: Mental Disorders classifications.

REIMBURSMENT, POLITICAL CURRENCY

Honolulu hit it on the head when suggesting this insurance manual has political overtones. I have been researching this document for three years now; and here is what I've found: the initial DSM listed homosexuality as a mental disorder. The DSM II did likewise - but was disclaimed after the second printing. The Veterans Administration are the primary research contributors. Though the VA is surely the best research organization in the world, they inexplicabably fail to acknowledge thier sample is contaminated by its exposure to variant cultures. While admitting thier work VA/WHO is"...a research tool. (and its findings) should be taken wth a grain of salt. (Har-har)", its also presented as contemporary gospel. The casebook is infinetly wiser. If "common" means 5%, and most of the 700 Dx are "common", do some math: US population is 280,000,000 divided by 5 = 56,000,000 x 700 = 3.92 to the 10th. Do we all have at least a dozen psychiatric Dx? Thats what the numbers say! BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDER: A semi-psychotic condition in where people snap for a few hours, to a few days? Hmm. I think anyone who has ever been unjustly fired from a job, or who has recently divorced, or been subjected to the "rumor mill", can aspire to that label. SELF DEFEATING PERSONALITY DISORDER? Thank God this Dx comes under the heading, "More research needed." Because some people just like being around under-dogs, and for diverse reasons. A reliable grad at Purdue tells me that DSM-V will be heavy on chemical dependencey issues - particularly in the workplace. That DSM-V will be the most research oriented of all psych manuals to date, and VI will be decidely different - perhaps foregoing Dx completely in favor of "Global Functioning." VI is also slated to focus on gender; exploring sex-bias issues in a real scientific way. But for now, we'll have to live with DSM-IV, and it's third party reimbursement flavor. If nothing else, this howling banquent of psycho-babble does entreatise one to the current state of our political mind. As a final example, the Dx "Passive-Aggressive Personality Disorder" is now remanded to the "back of the book - needing further study". It was once considered rude to slam the door on your bosses' face, these days many "bosses" wear Kevlar Body Armor clothing to protect themselves from projectiles more hostile than doors. As the times change, so does our attitude towards mental illness. This is a never-ending debate; and like my friend at Purdue Psych believes, it's all about $$$$$$$.

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Essential for psychology, counseling, and social work major

The "bible" of mental health diagnosis, it is a must have for those pursuing a career in any mental health specialty. Clearly describes the criteria for diagnosis. Provides better understanding of the line between certain mental illness

Quite a good read, despite a reputation for being dry.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV referring to the 4th edition) is often called "the psychiatrist's bible." Like a certain other Bible, DSM-IV is not holy writ (and indeed, in the introduction it explicitly states that the criteria contained therein are intended to be used only as guidelines), but it does provide an interesting look at Western culture. The evolution of the DSM has been fascinating, and I'm sure that when the next edition comes out, those of us who weren't involved in the writing will look upon the changes with curiosity and interest. (Those who were involved in the construction of this book may no longer be on speaking terms! It's an incredibly political undertaking, and I admire them for having the courage and the persistence to carry it through.)

Some of the disorders defined in DSM-IV, such as the Substance-Related Disorders and the relatively new diagnosis of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, bear a razor! -sharp specificity and resemblance to reality. The well-established Psychotic Disorders, often considered the most severe type of mental illness, and the Mood and Personality Disorders, which the meat and potatoes of psychiatry, will no doubt continue to evolve, and I will look forward to seeing the next edition of this exciting book.

Not to be missed are the delightful appendices, which include such gems as the Defensive Functioning Scale and a number of tentative "investigational criteria sets - descriptions of disorders which are not presently diagnosed (officially) but which may be in the future.

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A TOOL, NOT A NOVEL

The DSM-IV is a necessary tool in mental health care! It is not a coffee table book, nor a novel that one cuddles as they caress a mug of hot cocoa. If you are a professional, a student, or if you work with the mentally ill population in any capacity..this book is a must. The codes are for insurance rating purposes. This same codong is used for all medical conditions... Hardly a bad thing! People want their insurance to pay! It may be regretable that a diagnosis is immediately required in order for healthcare professionals to receive payment. But this is true of all healthcare-- psychiatric or otherwise. This is not a book for the patient. Anyone who works in the mental health arena, knows that this is not a layman's guide to mental health disorders! Anyone who suggests that it can be used in "self-diagnosis" has little understanding of mental illness. You wouldn't give a 5 year old a chainsaw!

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