Shyness
in a child and depression after bereavement could be classed as mental illness
in controversial new reforms
By
Jenny Hope
UPDATED: 23:49, 9 February 2012
UPDATED: 23:49, 9 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.
Sweet:
But childhood shyness could be classified as a mental disorder as the editors
of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders prepare for a
fifth edition
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.
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.
‘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?
‘Probably not. And there is a real danger that shyness will become
social phobia, bookish kids labelled as Asperger’s and so on.’
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.’
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
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.’
Among the U.S. psychiatrists against the changes is Allen Frances, of
Duke University, North Carolina.
He warned: ‘DSM5 will radically and recklessly expand the boundaries of
psychiatry. Many millions will receive inaccurate diagnosis and inappropriate
treatment.’
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.
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