The mental health diagnosis and the damage done

We reported a little while ago that a new version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)—the reference bible for diagnosing mental illness and cognitive problems—has been released. In it, some conditions have been removed, others added. And, a few conditions up for inclusion have been rejected, much to the dismay of many.

There are, of course, lots of arguments over what should and should not be in there. But I believe that the DSM has effects outside the world of psychiatry and psychology that mean we should pay less attention to it.

I should start this by saying that I am not a psychologist, psychiatrist, or any other type of psy that may make me qualified to offer a useful opinion on what goes into the DSM. I do, however, have limited insight from the other side: two of my children are on the Autism spectrum. Indeed, I wrote most of this in the waiting room of a clinic while one of my children visits the local psychologist.