February 10, 2012
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2099078/Shyness-child-depression-=
bereavement-classed-mental-illness.html=20
=20
Shyness in a child and depression after bereavement could be classed as =
mental illness in controversial new reforms
By Jenny Hope
Last updated at 11:49 PM on 9th February 2012
Childhood shyness could be reclassified as a mental disorder under =
controversial new guidelines, warn experts.
They also fear that depression after bereavement and behaviour now seen =
as eccentric or unconventional will also become 'medicalised'.
Internet addiction and gambling might also become forms of illness
The threat comes in the form of proposed changes to a U.S. manual of =
mental disorders, viewed as a bible by some in the field.
Although the changes to the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and =
Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders would not directly affect =
clinical practice here - where doctors tend to use different guidelines =
- experts say it would eventually influence thinking.
Millions of people, including Britons, could be given a psychiatric =
diagnosis which could ruin their lives, warn psychiatrists and =
psychologists here.=20
The DSM5 changes are also opposed by many experts in the U.S., some of =
whom claim they reflect efforts by drug companies to sell more products
Simon Wessely, of the Institute of Psychiatry, King's College, London, =
said: 'We need to be very careful before further broadening the =
boundaries of illness and disorder.
'Back in 1840 the census of the United States included just one category =
for mental disorder.
'By 1917 the American Psychiatric Association recognised 59, rising to =
128 in 1959, 227 in 1980, and 347 in the last revision. Do we really =
need all these labels?=20
'Probably not. And there is a real danger that shyness will become =
social phobia, bookish kids labelled as Asperger's and so on.'=20
Peter Kinderman, head of the Institute of Psychology, University of =
Liverpool, said: 'It will exacerbate problems that result from trying to =
fit a medical, diagnostic, system to problems that just don't fit nicely =
into those boxes.
'It will pathologise a range of problems which should never be thought =
of as mental illnesses. Many who are shy, bereaved, eccentric, or have =
unconventional romantic lives will suddenly find themselves labelled as =
"mentally ill".
'This isn't valid, isn't true, isn't humane.'=20
Paraphilic Coercive Disorder - becoming aroused by sexual coercion - is =
one condition proposed for inclusion in DSM5. Professor Kinderman said =
there was a danger that rapists diagnosed with it would use it as an =
excuse.
'It will pathologise a range of problems which should never be thought =
of as mental illnesses. Many who are shy, bereaved, eccentric, or have =
unconventional romantic lives will suddenly find themselves labelled as =
"mentally ill"'
Peter Kinderman, head of the Institute of Psychology, University of =
Liverpool
=20
He added that there were 'huge concerns' about the changes, which are =
opposed by the British Psychological Society.
Other experts say the guidelines will straitjacket clinicians into =
'ticking boxes' that lead to a proscribed diagnosis. Dr Felicity =
Callard, of King's College, warned: 'People's lives can be altered =
profoundly - and sometimes ruinously - by being given a psychiatric =
diagnosis.'=20
Among the U.S. psychiatrists against the changes is Allen Frances, of =
Duke University, North Carolina.=20
He warned: 'DSM5 will radically and recklessly expand the boundaries of =
psychiatry. Many millions will receive inaccurate diagnosis and =
inappropriate treatment.'=20
David Elkins, of Pepperdine University, Los Angeles, said individuals =
could be 'labelled with a mental disorder for life and many will be =
treated with powerful psychiatric drugs'.
Defenders of the American Psychiatric Association guidelines say they =
will make diagnosis more accurate and scientific.
-------------
Suzy Chapman
_____________________
http://dxrevisionwatch.wordpress.com=20
http://meagenda.wordpress.com
http://www.facebook.com/MEagenda
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