The DSM-5: A Case Study

The statistics and facts above have demonstrated that removing Asperger’s Disorder from the DSM-5, as a mental health diagnosis, negatively affects an entire population of people, referred to as Aspies. The underlying issue is the power the DSM-5 manual has on overall mental health to determine identities, diagnosis, treatment health and mental health services, educational services and more. One DSM change has power to affect an entire population of people with developmental disabilities. It is important to understand how this affects our society as a whole by examining how this problem affects family, religion, government, and economy.

Due to the harmful side effects of antidepressants, other forms of coping and dealing with depression should be implicated. Using tricyclic antidepressants as a last resort is an option that should be considered only after trying other forms of therapies such as cognitive and behavioral treatment, group therapy, and psychodynamic therapy. Cognitive and behavioral therapies focus on trying to change the behavior of the patient instead of focusing on the past and root issue of the problem. “The main idea of behavioral therapy is that people who are rewarded for the wrong things and punished for positive acts end up behaving in ways that don’t serve them well” (Wolff 61). Another equally effective aid for depression is the most commonly known type of therapy, psychodynamic therapy; psychodynamic therapy works by setting an example of a healthy

Next, the provisional diagnosis was formulated by giving Miguel assessment measures such as the WHODAS 2.0 for adults, the Level 1 Cross-Cutting Symptom Measure, and the Clinician-Rated Dimensions of Psychosis Symptom Severity. In addition, WHODAS 2.0 for adults will allow the counselor to assess the severity of the client’s disability (APA, 2013, p. 746). The Clinical-Rated Dimension of Psychosis Symptom Severity will help the counselor to analyze the severity of symptoms and may assist in the treatment process (APA, 2013, p. 742). Outside of work, no other problems have been mentioned because of the use of alcohol (APA, 2013). The counselor should also learn more about Miguel’s social life

One major change in the category of the substance-related disorders is that DSM–5 uses an overarching concept “substance use disorder” rather than two distinguished concepts in DSM–IV, which are “substance abuse” and “substance dependence.” As the diagnostic categorization changed, two sets of criteria – 4 aspects for “abuse” and 7 aspects for “dependence” – are replaced with a single set of criteria – 11 aspects for “substance use disorder” – with 3 levels of severity (mild: 2-3, moderate: 4-5, or severe: 6 or more) sub-classification. The contents of criteria are almost same, however, a criterion of legal problem is omitted and a new criterion that asks craving to use the specific substance is added. Another change is that DSM-5 classifies 10 classes of substances in addition to 1 addictive disorder whereas DSM-IV-TR recognizes 13 classes of substances. For example, DSM-5 puts together Amphetamine-Related and Cocaine-Related Disorders into Stimulant-Related Disorders with sub-categories (Amphetamine-type, Cocaine, or other stimulants). On the other hand, for almost all substance-induced disorders, the same criteria of intoxication and withdrawal are used in both DSM-5 and DSM-IV-TR (e.g. Alcohol intoxication, and alcohol withdrawal).

Dziegielewski & Turnage (2015) state “cultural considerations should be clearly examined and understood in the diagnostic assessment for trauma and stress disorder” (p. 321). Counselors should consider ethnicity and other dominant culture factors to sanction behaviors that may appear unusual. The DSM-5 Cultural Formulation Interview (CSI) can assist with the initial assessment. Awareness of idiotism’s can assist counselors be inclusive with the identification of problematic behaviors and linguistic strategies with culturally sensitive terms. Cultural components are an integral part “in the diagnostic assessment and must always be identified and taken into account” (Dziegielewski & Turnage, 2015, p. 322).

There are different types of depression and one of them is bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder is also known as manic-depressive disorder. It is recognized for having different experiences that last for weeks at a time. Episodes may occur several times a year or throughout the year. Manic symptoms include periods of elevated mood or anger. During a manic episode, a patient usually has high energy levels and less need for sleep. Less often, people may experience psychosis. Depression include feeling sad, low energy, low motivation, or loss of interest.

DSM-IV outlines the criteria that must be present in order for substance dependence to occur. Of the seven criteria’s for this to occur, a total of three must occur and take place within a twelve month consecutive time period (Levinthal, 2012). Tolerance, withdrawal, and abandonment of normalcy are three of the criteria that could identify or lead to the discovering of the substance dependence. Increased tolerance or decreased benefits to the drug of choice is identifiable with the person becoming addicted to it (Levinthal, 2012). When a person continues to take a drug, prescription or illegal, the more their body adjusts to having the drug in their system and the more they must take to reap the benefits that initially occurred. The longer

Clinical observations identify three broad areas of disturbance which transcend simple PTSD. The DSM-III formally recognized PTSD in 1980 and required a catastrophic stress event as inciting criteria for diagnosis. The original conception of PTSD viewed these events as outside the scope of human experience e.g., natural disaster, war, torture and human made disasters. Since then the diagnosis has broadened to include other traumatic stressors and anhedonic/dysphoric presentations. Significantly, the DSM-V removes PTSD from the anxiety disorders category and places it with stress disorders, as it is not a fear-based disorder. (USDVA PTSD, 2016)

What is bipolar disorder? A disorder with episode of mood swing ranging from depressive lows to manic highs. Each episode usually last days to week at a time. Episodes may occur several times a year or throughout the year. Mania symptoms include periods of elevated mood of irritability. When experiencing a manic episode a patient often has high energy levels with reduced need for sleep. Less often, people may experience psychosis. Depression symptoms include feeling sad, low energy, low motivation, or loss of interest in previously enjoyable activities. Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that cause unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, and the ability to carry out

DSM or also Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders aims to assist clinicians in diagnosing individuals with mental health disorders. For Joan’s case, I diagnosed her with having anorexia nervosa. In the DSM 5, you must display three traits to meet the criteria. The first display to meet criteria is “Persistent restriction of energy intake leading to significantly low body weight (in context of what is minimally expected for age, sex, developmental trajectory, and physical health)” (American Psychiatric Association 2013). Joan would often not eat food even if she was starving and hungry. There would be days where she would only have a piece of fruit and for her age at the time of being 29, weighing 90 pounds is

The medical and behavioral (DSM) community has chosen to let go of the more shadowy term “Gender Identity Disorder,” in favor of a less charged and hopefully more suitable term, “Gender Dysphoria,” for transgender individuals. This paper will explore conventional clinical perspectives and subsequent changes therein; survey a few theoretical frameworks, both conventional and more post-modern, in order to gain a better understanding of how to effectively work with gender dysphoria. The main body of this paper will be structured under specific headings, beginning with a brief historical description of gender dysphoria, followed a brief discussion on etiology with some clinical implications. Current theoretical frameworks will be presented

The need for a classification of mental disorders has been clear throughout the history of medicine. The American Psychiatric Association, the DSM was first published in 1984. The DSM-IV symptom criteria for major depressive disorder (MDD) are somewhat lengthy, many studies showing that treatment providers have difficulty recalling all nine symptoms (American Psychological Association, 2010). The symptom inclusion criteria for the diagnosis of major depressive disorder (MDD) have remained essentially unchanged during the past 35 years. Since there has been more revision and more research, the criteria for depressive disorders has been changed to be able to diagnose each individual more appropriately. This is why the DSM-5 was developed.

This essay will evaluate on individual approach to treatment for one disorder, particularly depression. To treat depression, psychologists use various approaches, which target different possible etiologies of disorder. Some approaches perform better role for certain disorders. There are three types of approaches that are biomedical, individual, and group approach but this essay only focus on individual approach.

In my opinion, I think that the DSM-5 could be both beneficial and harmful to people depending on the person and what disorder/condition that they might have. On page 99 in our textbook, it is clear to see that as the DSM has been revised and reviewed over the years that there has been extensive changes carried out. For instance, in the DSM-III, the expansion divided the former category of anxiety neurosis into different categories that gave rise to what we know as panic disorder, or generalized anxiety disorder, etc. (Beidel, Bulik, Stanley 99). This change has probably been a blessing to the people who are diagnosed under the DSM in that it gave a specific name to their disorder instead of a term that had the potential to be overgeneralized. Another benefit of the DSM-5 would be that it allows clear, concise ways for the clinician to communicate necessary information to the patient and provides a clearer cut path towards treatment (Beidel, Bulik, Stanley 105). I see the developmental approach that the DSM-5 uses as beneficial also because as it states

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM) provides standard criteria for diagnosing mental disorders. It serves numerous purposes and delineates a common language for researchers, clinicians, educators and students. The APA released the fifth edition of its Diagnostic and Statistical manual of mental disorders in May 2013 after 12 years of research involving a diverse range of 400 experts from 12 countries worldwide (Kuhl, Kupfer, & Reiner, 2013). While the release of the new DSM 5 has caused much controversy in the field of psychiatry, specifically for its changes in specific diagnosis and new disorders, the structural changes that have been made seem to be an improvement from the previous DSM IV and will help