Posted by Caper on October 28, 2004, at 1:23:15
In reply to Re: LoL! Thanks for the grins, posted by Allen770 on October 25, 2004, at 20:45:51
Hi, just wanted to tell you what the DSM-IV is (might as well use my psychology degree for something!).
It's the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, often referred to as "the psychiatrist's bible". It gives specific criteria for mental disorders; everything from major depression to substance abuse to senile dementia. I'm writing this off the top of my head and it's 2:30am so...this is just an attempt to show what DSM is generally like.
Take borderline personality disorder, for example. DSM lists 9 symptoms of BPD, and to officially get this diagnosis a person must exhibit at least 5 symptoms out of the nine and the symptoms must be long standing and cause some sort of maladaptive behavior.
The U.S. uses DSM criteria but if I remember correctly, there is a sort of "world wide" DSM type manual called ICD-10. Same premise but with some differences in criteria and sometimes there are even differences in what DSM lists as a mental disorder and what ICD-10 lists. Plus they change with each revision. At one point homosexuality was listed in DSM as a mental illness. I think that stopped in the mid 1970's.
This was probably too much information, but I can't sleep and when I can't sleep, I type. Hope this clarifies things and didn't bore you to death.
Caper
poster:Caper
thread:406544
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/subs/20041013/msgs/408235.html