Posted by Racer on December 1, 2004, at 20:07:44
In reply to Re: The artificial nature of psychiatric diagnosis, posted by Shalom34Israel on December 1, 2004, at 19:43:03
I agree that the DSM criteria are arbitrary, and based less on rigorous science than on consensus. But it's what we've got, and something was needed. Sure, it's got problems, which are addressed with every edition, but until something better comes along, let's agree to use the tools we've got, huh?
Yes, there is a real danger that the patient will be lost in the dx, but you know what? My father was given a couple of rounds of antibiotics for lung cancer before it was finally diagnosed. Even when there are pretty hard and fast guides to diagnosis, the doctor still has to be good enough to make an accurate diagnosis, right?
YOU may not find any solace in having a diagnostic code written after your name, but there are many people in this world who do find it a relief. The insurance companies are never really going to pay out for "Ed gets really gloomy" or "Joe is just plain Froot Loops". And how can anyone do any valid research on mental disorders if everyone uses different terminology for each symptom or disorder? There is a need for some form of standardization, and the DSM -- however imperfect -- is what is available now.
Let's not throw the baby out with the bathwater, OK?
poster:Racer
thread:422741
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20041201/msgs/423103.html