DSM5 in Distress

The DSM's impact on mental health practice and research.

by Allen Frances, M.D.

Normal Grief vs Depression In DSM5

By Allen J. Frances, M.D. on March 16, 2010 in DSM5 in Distress

The recently posted draft of DSM5 makes a seemingly small suggestion that would profoundly impact how grief is handled by psychiatry. It would allow the diagnosis of Major Depression even if the person is grieving immediately after the loss of a loved one. Many people now considered to be experiencing a variation of normal grief would instead get a mental disorder label. Read More

In a sleepy Virginian hibernation

Submitted by David Petropoulos on March 17, 2010 - 7:51am.

The chronically mentally ill rarely seek out psychiatrists, so I'm sure people who grieve normally won't be breaking the hinges of the psychiatric door any time soon. You sound silly and paranoid.

reply
quote

Pathologizing natural emotional pain

Submitted by Robert D. Stolorow, Ph.D. on February 4, 2012 - 11:02am.

Human finitude with its traumatizing impact, as disclosed in the experience of loss of a beloved one, is not a condition from which one can or should recover.

reply
quote

DSM V diagnosis of Grief

Submitted by Zahid Imran on March 25, 2012 - 7:43am.

Allowing the room to recognize on set of major depressive disorder after a loss is the judgment of a clinician but not having the flexibility to do so is a major barrier in treatment. The author assumes that public will read DSM V and drag grieving people to psychiatrists for forced treatment is not true.