Psychiatric Manual Adds New Diagnoses

The book American psychiatrists use to diagnose a patient’s mental illness, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders V (DSM-5), will not be released for another three years, but the American Psychiatric Association has offered a preview. While obviously not yet finalized, some changes have been proposed, such as eliminating the term “mental retardation” in favor of “intellectual disability.” Binge-eating, hoarding, and hypersexuality will be added (Internet addiction was considered but researchers did not have the data to back up its inclusion). Asperger’s syndrome will be placed on the autism spectrum, instead of standing alone as it currently does. “Substance abuse” and “dependence” will now be called “addiction and related disorders.” The manual is highly influential on what type of care and drugs insurance companies will cover.