DSM And Diagnosis
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) includes criteria for diagnosing disorders and its clinical presentation. The continual evolvement of the DSM in its subsequent editions has provided clinicians an approach for diagnosing 400 mental disorders. In addition, the DSM is the most popular classification system used in the United States (Comer, p. 85). While the tools used to diagnose abnormal behavior have showed great advancement in the last two centuries, this comes with the opportunity to misdiagnose and mistreat individuals. Dr. Frances’ description of how his own grieving could be misdiagnosed is a great example of how misdiagnosis and subsequent mistreatment with pharmacologic therapy could be prevalent among
practitioners following the DSM-5 (Frances, 2012). If someone who is actually displaying normal behavior is misdiagnosed and mistreated, there comes the stigma of an inappropriate diagnosis, misuse of therapy, over-prescription of medication and the potential for harmful side effects. The implications associated with a mental health diagnosis and treatment can greatly impact an individual. This is particularly unfortunate if the diagnosis is not warranted. When someone is diagnosed with a mental disorder, their illness almost labels them and puts them at risk for discrimination and to be viewed differently by others. Having a mental illness may make it difficult for someone to obtain and/or maintain employment. Their employer may view them as potentially unstable and unreliable as an employee. Once a person has been labeled, that may be attached to a person for a long time (Comer, 89). Their family and friends may treat them differently because of a mental health diagnosis. A diagnosis will always be a part of a person’s health history. The individual may view themselves as broken or abnormal and therefore be more hesitant to enter social relationships. For these reasons alone, it is important that people are accurately diagnosed and treated for the safest outcomes.
practitioners following the DSM-5 (Frances, 2012). If someone who is actually displaying normal behavior is misdiagnosed and mistreated, there comes the stigma of an inappropriate diagnosis, misuse of therapy, over-prescription of medication and the potential for harmful side effects. The implications associated with a mental health diagnosis and treatment can greatly impact an individual. This is particularly unfortunate if the diagnosis is not warranted. When someone is diagnosed with a mental disorder, their illness almost labels them and puts them at risk for discrimination and to be viewed differently by others. Having a mental illness may make it difficult for someone to obtain and/or maintain employment. Their employer may view them as potentially unstable and unreliable as an employee. Once a person has been labeled, that may be attached to a person for a long time (Comer, 89). Their family and friends may treat them differently because of a mental health diagnosis. A diagnosis will always be a part of a person’s health history. The individual may view themselves as broken or abnormal and therefore be more hesitant to enter social relationships. For these reasons alone, it is important that people are accurately diagnosed and treated for the safest outcomes.