Shrinks, critics face off over psychiatric manual (...turns normal conditions into mental illnesses. They say it will only make the "pop-a-pill" culture worse.)

[Oliver Crangle]

Shrinks, critics face off over psychiatric manual


This undated image shows the cover of the revised American Psychiatric
Association's guidebook of mental disorders being released in May
2013. It is the manual's first major update in nearly 20 years, but
prominent critics say the APA is out of control, turning common human
problems into mental illness in a trend they say will just make the
"pop-a-pill" culture worse. (AP Photo/American Psychiatric
Association)

(AP)—There's a new version of the world's most widely used psychiatric
manual, and it's already getting lots of criticism.
Some prominent therapists and others complain that the manual turns
normal conditions into mental illnesses. They say it will only make
the "pop-a-pill" culture worse.

At issue is the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual
of Mental Disorders, widely known as the DSM-5. The DSM has long been
considered the authoritative source for diagnosing mental problems.

The American Psychiatric Association is releasing the manual this
weekend at its annual meeting in San Francisco. Protesters hope to
steal the show.




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