The Debate Over DSM-5: We Invite Your Views

By James L. Knoll IV, MD | December 16, 2011

Dr Knoll is Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the SUNY Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse, NY, where he is Director of Forensic Psychiatry and Director of the Forensic Psychiatry Fellowship at Central New York Psychiatric Center. Dr Knoll is Editor in Chief of Psychiatric Times.

This brief editorial clarifies the position of Psychiatric Times with regard to our intent behind posting the many blogs about DSM-5 that appear on our Web site, www.PsychiatricTimes.com.

Psychiatric Times takes no official position regarding any current controversy involving the upcoming publication of the DSM-5. Rather,it is our intent to assist the field and our readership by providing an unbiased, objective forum in which informed and respectful academic debate can take place around issues that are of significant concern in the field of psychiatry.

The publication of DSM-5 will mark one of the most anticipated events in several decades for the mental health field. Despite what appears to be a recent trend of intensified cynicism regarding the infrastructure of the field,^1,2 this fact about psychiatry in the early 21st century is clear: the DSM is of central importance to the accuracy and consistency of psychiatric diagnosis and research. In a practical sense, it provides mental health professionals with a common language necessary for treating patients.

Psychiatric Times encourages and invites readers to submit their viewpoints on DSM-5 in the spiritof collegial and scientific investigation. Manuscripts and letters sent to editor@PsychiatricTimes.com will be reviewed for possible publication either in print or on www.PsychiatricTimes.com.

References

1. Harris G. Talk doesn’t pay, so psychiatry turns instead to drug therapy. The New York Times. March 5, 2011. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/06/health/policy/06doctors.html?pagewanted=all. Accessed November 16, 2011.
2. Angell M. The epidemic of mental illness: Why? (Parts 1 & 2). The New York Review. June 23, 2011.

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The Debate Over DSM-5: We Invite Your Views

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