The overdiagnosis of mental illness: "Labels change quickly"

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Tuesday, June 5. 2012

The overdiagnosis of mental illness: "Labels change quickly"

"There is no constituency for 'normal'," he says.

Dr. Francis, who had been an editor of the DSM 3 and Editor of the 4, and was a teacher of mine back in the day, discusses some of the current diagnostic craziness related to the DSM 5 (h/t to 1 Boring Old Man).

His talk also contains some good general comments about Psychiatric medical practice, for those who might be curious about it. Sensible fellow, and articulate without teleprompter.

I will post some more items about diagnosis this week for the two or three readers who find the topic interesting.

Posted by Dr. Joy Bliss in Our Essays, Psychology, and Dr. Bliss at 16:42 | Comments (8) | Trackbacks (0)

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I find it very interesting.......Just wish you'd finish your posts instead of promising more later, which often doesn't come about.

#1 Bruce Kesler on 2012-06-05 17:01 (Reply)

LOL. Perhaps a diagnosis of Adult ADD? :-)

#1.1 Amazed on 2012-06-07 13:01 (Reply)

Unhappy with how they are perceived by the statistically "normal," statistical outliers such as homosexuals and the mentally ill are determined to mitigate their perceived abnormality by both redefining their behavior to be statistically normal, and by maneuvering the statistically normal (or their children) away from the center by as many standard deviations as possible.
As evidence, I cite Hollywood.

#2 PacRim Jim (Link) on 2012-06-05 18:24 (Reply)

Omigosh - this is very true! I've never heard it put so succinctly.

My husband grew up with a severely bipolar father - fortunately he does not have bipolar . . . BUT he said that when he was a child, he was made to get psychiatric evaluations repeatedly - and then his parents would be DISAPPOINTED when the doctors would tell them their son was fine!

He's still rather distant with his parents over this.

#2.1 BlackOrchid on 2012-06-06 10:20 (Reply)

Very Good! Thanks for sharing. I've become very concerned on how broad the definition of mental illness is. It used to be we have a broad spectrum of normal behaviors. We now have a broad spectrum of mental illness behaviors, and 'normal' is being narrowed. There can be no deviation of emotion.

#3 Kate on 2012-06-05 19:02 (Reply)

When political points of view become psychoanalyzed or diagnosed as a mental disorder, we are in very deep trouble. What's worrisome is that the media is so credulous when posting about points of view that become mental disorders, like homophobia or islamophobia.

#4 Jewel (Link) on 2012-06-05 19:36 (Reply)

Frances's early point about redefinition of behavior at the "populous borders" is spot on. There are many conditions, such as anorexia or autism, which are true pathologies at their extremes and in legitimate need of care and treatment. But less-intense versions of same can be successfully managed by millions of people, who do not need to be encouraged to think of themselves as ill. If one envisions a Bell Curve, one sees that even slight adjustments toward the center of cutoff lines results in great increases in newly-defined pathology.

Life is hard, and obstacles abound.

#5 Assistant VIllage Idiot (Link) on 2012-06-06 20:39 (Reply)

Enlightening presentation by Allen J. Frances. Thanks for the information.

#6 Keith (Link) on 2012-06-11 03:48 (Reply)

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Tuesday, June 5. 2012

The overdiagnosis of mental illness: "Labels change quickly"