Restricted accessResearch articleFirst published online 2014-10
Has the Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental illnesses (fifth edition) jumped the shark and is it now time for Australia to reconsider reliance on it?
The purpose of this article is to consider whether, in light of the significant controversy surrounding the Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental illnesses (fifth edition) (DSM-5), it may be time for Australia to reconsider the influence of, and its past reliance on, the DSM. Also considered is whether it is now time, with the imminent publication of the The international statistical classification of diseases and related health problems (eleventh edition) (ICD-11), to move to the ICD-11 as the primary instrument for diagnosis and research in Australia.
Conclusion:
That DSM-5 begins its life in an unprecedented plethora of criticism, not only from lay people but also from mental health professionals, which should sound a note of caution for continued reliance on it in Australia.
American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental illnesses. Fifth edition. Washington DC: American Psychiatric Publishing, 2013.
2.
National Centre for Classification in Health. The international statistical classification of diseases and related health problems, 10th revision, Australian modification. Sydney: National Centre for Classification in Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, 1998.
3.
DunlevyS.Medical ‘bible’ squabble. The Weekend Australian, 19–20May2012.
4.
HaslamN.Modern madness: The labelling of mental illness gets a shakeup. The MonthlyMay2013, pp. 32–36.
5.
GhaemiSN.The ‘pragmatic’ secret of DSM revisions. Aust N Z J Psychiatry2014; 48: 196–197.
6.
Government of Australia, Repatriation Medical Authority. Statements of principles, http://rma.gov.au (accessed 2 March 2014).
7.
Veterans Review Board. Members’ Handbook.
8.
MellsopGDiesfeldK. Psychiatric diagnoses in legal systems: An issue of validity. Med Law2011; 30: 517–527.
9.
ParnellS. Warning on new guide to mental illness. The Australian, 18May2013.
10.
DunlevyS. Psychologists fume over new diagnoses. The Australian, 7November2011.
11.
BelluckPCareyB. Psychiatry’s guide is out of touch with science, experts say. The New York Times, 6May2013.
12.
SteinDJ. What is a mental disorder? A perspective from cognitive-affective science. Can J Psychiatry2013; 58: 656–661.
13.
WakefieldJCFirstMB. Clarifying the boundary between normality and disorder: A fundamental conceptual challenge for psychiatry. Can J Psychiatry2013; 58: 603–605.
14.
MajM. DSM-5, ICD-11 and ‘pathologization of normal conditions’. Aust N Z J Psychiatry2014; 48: 193–194.
FriedmanR. Grief, Depression and the DSM-5. N Engl J Med2012; 366: 1855–1857.
20.
KoulopoulosASaniGGhaemiSN. Mixed features of depression: Why DSM-5 is wrong (and so was DSM-IV). Br J Psychiatry2013; 203: 3–5.
21.
O’ConnorN. Reflective accounts of psychiatry in Australasia, 1963–2000 (the 1980s). Australas Psychiatry2013; 21: 101–103.
22.
GreenbergG. The book of woe: The DSM and the unmaking of psychiatry. New York: Blue Rider Press, 2013.
23.
O’ConnorN. The book of woe: The DSM and the unmaking of psychiatry (book review). Australas Psychiatry2014; 22: 90–92.
24.
FrancesAJNardoJM. ICD-11 should not repeat the mistakes made by DSM-5. Br J Psychiatry2013; 203: 1–2.
25.
GoldbergJF. What should ICD-11 do that DSM-5 did not?Aust N Z J Psychiatry2014; 48: 87–88.
26.
CarrollBJ. Lessons for ICD-11 coming after DSM-5. Aust N Z J Psychiatry2014; 48: 90–91.
27.
McGuffinPFarmerA. Moving from DSM-5 to ICD-11: A joint problem. Aust N Z J Psychiatry2014; 48: 195–196.
28.
ReedGMCorreiaEsparzaP. The WPA-WHO global survey of psychiatrists’ attitudes towards mental disorders classification. World Psychiatry2011; 10: 118–131.
29.
International Advisory Group for the Revision of ICD-10 Mental and Behavioural Disorders. A conceptual framework for the revision of the ICD-10 classification of mental and behavioural disorders. World Psychiatry2011; 10: 86–96.
30.
InnesKPeasleyKRobertsR. Ten down under: Implementing ICD-10 in Australia. J AHIMA2000; 1: 52–56.
31.
RobertsRFInnesKCWalkerSM. Introducing ICD-10-AM in Australian Hospitals. Med J Aust1998; 169: 32–35.
32.
CareyT. The problem with the DSM-5 is the DSM not the 5. Australas Psychiatry2013; 21: 409.
33.
American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, 4th edn, text revision. Washington DC: American Psychiatric Association, 2000.
