The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (the DSM) provides a c

Question

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (the DSM) provides a common language and standard criteria for the classification of mental disorders. It is used by clinicians, researchers, psychiatric drug regulation agencies, health insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies, and policy makers. The newest edition, the DSM-5, was just released on May 18, 2013 and it is the first major revision to the DSM in nearly twenty years!

Research the new changes to the DSM, and post about one change that you personally think is notable, interesting, positive, negative, or just bizarre/curious (don't forget to include why you think so)! You must bring an original thought to the discussion,--or if you explore a change that has already been discussed, please credit that classmate and explore a different rationale for why that change was positive, negative, interesting, etc.

Explanation / Answer

One change i find notable is the elimination of the various subtypes of schizophrenia. Schizophrenia in DSM -IV  had five subtypes, which were paranoid, disorganized, catatonic, undifferentiated, and residual. In DSM V all these subtypes were removed and only the one schizophrenia diagnosis exists. Earlier, it was thought that all these subtypes were different diagnostic subcategories and were diagnosed as such, but later research revealed that these sub categories have poor reliability and validity and also they do not show difference in the treatment patterns. This a positive change, as earlier, the different subtypes caused the mental health professionals confusion regarding the diagnosis of patients with schizophrenia, as often the symptoms would overlap or were not clear to classify them in a particular subcategory.

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