General Discussion

slackmaster

(60,567 posts)

3. The current DSM is the closest thing we have to a source of truth

Mon Dec 17, 2012, 03:29 PM

Dec 2012

I suggest that people who are not familiar with it check out the definition of a form of mental illness that they have heard of.

The diagnostic criteria are quite detailed. It's not possible to have a purely objective system of definitions, but the DSM is the result of efforts to make it as clear as possible.

Of course not everyone agrees with the DSM's definitions. It's always been a work in progress, and it is the standard used to make determinations of insurance payouts, what drugs are approved for particular conditions, etc.

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Can we have an agreed upon definition of "mentally ill"? [View all] YoungDemCA Dec 2012 OP

WEll, there's always the DSM.... cliffordu Dec 2012 #1

There's a whole thick book in mental disorders Gman Dec 2012 #2

The current DSM is the closest thing we have to a source of truth slackmaster Dec 2012 #3

The problem is that most people with a diagnosed mental illness... YoungDemCA Dec 2012 #6

Of course you are correct, and those that are dangerous are so mostly to themselves. slackmaster Dec 2012 #8

I disagree ... GeorgeGist Dec 2012 #10

Anyone who is not like me or disagrees with me. n/t zappaman Dec 2012 #4

Actually, I would want a definition of mentally ill with a tendency toward violence, Cleita Dec 2012 #5

Mental illness includes PTSD so it includes a large amount of US Veterans Fire Walk With Me Dec 2012 #7

no. Twinguard Dec 2012 #9

Probably not. SoCalDem Dec 2012 #11