DSM-5 - Support Criterion C - Your Comments WantedThe Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, published by the American Psychiatric Association, is the main diagnostic reference of Mental Health professionals in the United States of America. It catalogues mental disorders, including description, diagnostic criteria, treatment and research findings.The fifth edition -- DSM-5 -- is now being put together by teams of specialists. As of August 25, 2011, public comment is now CLOSED on the DSM-5 site, but will re-open in the near future.. There is a crucial change being proposed in the diagnostic criteria for "dissociative identity disorder", and public comment is invited. (Sign up here: http://www.dsm5.org/Pages/Registration.aspx) ====== A. Disruption of identity characterized by two or more distinct personality states or an experience of possession, as evidenced by discontinuities in sense of self, cognition, behavior, affect, perceptions, and/or memories. This disruption may be observed by others or reported by the patient. B. Inability to recall important personal information, for everyday events or traumatic events, that is inconsistent with ordinary forgetfulness.
*** [In other words, if this criterion is included, if being multiple does not interfere with your everyday life then you do not have Dissociative Identity Disorder.] D. The disturbance is not a normal part of a broadly accepted cultural or religious practice and is not due to the direct physiological effects of a substance (e.g., blackouts or chaotic behavior during Alcohol intoxication) or a general medical condition (e.g., complex partial seizures). NOTE: In children, the symptoms are not attributable to imaginary playmates or other fantasy play. Specify if: a) With non-epileptic seizures or other conversion symptoms b) With somatic symptoms that vary across identities (excluding those in specifier a) ====== Criterion C is intended to distinguish DID from culturally accepted multiplicity. If this criterion is included, natural and self-recognized multiples can be out in therapy without necessarily getting a DID diagnosis. It may help group members who seek professional help with issues unrelated to being multiple. There will be more of a chance that group members can help provide background information or insights without fear of being classified as mere symptoms of a mental disease. Of course, it will take decades before professionals really accept that non-disordered multiplicity is possible, but this is an important step. The mention of possession is intended to make DID a more globally acceptable diagnosis, replacing dissociative trance disorder and possession in the DSM-IV. "Broadly accepted cultural or religious practice" will be helpful to Spiritualists and others for whom spirit communication and body-sharing are normal parts of their faith. After joining go to this link. Once you're signed in, there's a place near the bottom of the page for comments. We want to convince them to keep criterion C in as a diagnostic tool. If this criterion is retained it will help to take the label of mental illness off those of us who do not want it. Deadline is June 15th, 2011, so don't wait.
British Psychological Society Criticizes DSM-5 (summary here)."The Society is concerned that clients and the general public are negatively affected by the continued and continuous medicalisation of their natural and normal responses to their experiences; responses which undoubtedly have distressing consequences which demand helping responses, but which do not reflect illnesses so much as normal individual variation."
Why The DSM Should Be Changed
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