Portal Login:
  • Clients
  • Providers
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
    Portal Login:
  • Clients
  • Providers
  • About Mitchell MCN
  • Careers
  • MCNTalk
  • Contact Us

Mitchell MCN

The Power of a Second Look

  • Services
    • Independent Medical Examinations
    • Medical Peer Reviews
    • Bill Review Services
    • Utilization Reviews
  • Expertise
    • Short and Long-Term Disability
    • Workers’ Compensation
    • Auto/PIP/Casualty/Liability
    • Independent Review Organization Services
  • For Clients
  • For Providers
  • Your Exam
    • About Your Exam
    • About Your External Review
    • Contact & Scheduling
  • Schedule Now
  • About Mitchell MCN
  • MCNTalk
  • Careers
  • Contact Us

MCNTalk
News, Insights & Opinions

Home / MCNTalk / The DSM and categories of suffering

January 31, 2012

The DSM and categories of suffering

by Brian L. Grant, MD

This article in The New York Times importantly describes some of the many problems with the DSM in particular, and medical diagnoses in general. When diagnoses gain power to drive resources and funds, create obligations on the part of others, excuse or justify shortcomings in behaviors and habits, demand more time on tests, and generate billions in drug sales – mischief and misuse follows.

The DSM is a worthwhile effort and useful for psychiatrists in treating patients. But in the hands of the greater society it has become wildly distorted. The power of diagnoses are profound. But  psychiatric diagnoses in particular are highly reductionist. They are a cookbook that apply if a patient falls into particular boxes. They do nothing to explain the “why” of the human condition, nor does a particular diagnosis remove the unique humanity that makes each of us different. Pills may address particular symptoms and provide some relief. But they will never alter fundamental personality configurations,  eliminate personal choice and accountability, or substitute for self-examination and introspection.

Read more…

47.608945-122.332015

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Email
  • More
  • Facebook
  • Reddit
  • Print

Tagged: Clinical Issues, Psychiatry, Sociology and Language of Medicine Leave a Comment

Previous Post
Next Post

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

one + 5 =

Primary Sidebar

Recent Posts

  • February Clinic Calendars Are Available
  • Mitchell MCN’s Client Portal Login Page is Changing
  • IRO Team to Host Webinar about Genetics on Dec. 5, 2019
  • December Clinic Calendars are Now Available
  • Mitchell MCN’s IRO Team to Host CEU in December

Archives

Footer


  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn

Quick Links

  • Services
  • Expertise
  • About Mitchell MCN
  • Careers

Division Headquarters

Mitchell MCN
1301 5th Ave., Ste. 2900
Seattle, WA 98101

See all offices

Email Us

General Inquiries: info@mcn.com
Sales & Marketing: marketing@mcn.com

Call Us

206.343.6100
800.248.6269

© Copyright 2021 Mitchell International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

  • Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap
loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.