Springer The DSM-5 in Perspective: Philosophical Reflections on the Psychiatric Babel: 10 (History, Philosophy and Theory of the Life Sciences, 10)

Since its third edition in 1980, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) of the American Psychiatric Association has acquired a hegemonic role in the health care professions and has had a broad impact on the lay public. The publication in May 2013 of its fifth edition, the DSM-5, marked the latest milestone in the history of the DSM and of American psychiatry. In The DSM-5 in Perspective: Philosophical Reflections on the Psychiatric Babel, experts in the philosophy of psychiatry propose original essays that explore the main issues related to the DSM-5, such as the still weak validity and reliability of the classification, the scientific status of its revision process, the several cultural, gender and sexist biases that are apparent in the criteria, the comorbidity issue and the categorical vs. dimensional debate. For several decades the DSM has been nicknamed “The Psychiatric Bible.” This volume would like to suggest another biblical metaphor: the Tower of Babel. Altogether, the essays in this volume describe the DSM as an imperfect and unachievable monument – a monument that was originally built to celebrate the new unity of clinical psychiatric discourse, but that ended up creating, as a result of its hubris, ever more profound practical divisions and theoretical difficulties. Review “The essays in Demazeux’s and Singy’s volume are all about the DSM-5, but they also address many distinct aspects of human life, from research design to moral values, to sexuality, to grief. … the volume–and the intensity of the criticisms it contains–eloquently demonstrates the importance of the DSM to modern life. This in turn proves the importance of the collection, which contributes to our understanding of both the DSM and ourselves.” (Brent M. Kious, Metascience, Vol. 25, 2016) “The present volume of philosophical commentary on this ambitious project offers a range of contributions to the debate about psychiatric nosology, a few of which are truly outstanding. … this volume is recommended reading for specialists and non-specialists alike interested in the problems inherent in constructing any useful taxonomy of mental conditions and particularly for insight into the science, history, and politics that have shaped the current DSM-5.” (Mark J. Sedler, Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews, ndpr.nd.edu, August, 2015) “This is a collection of essays from different authors exploring the main problems of the DSM-5. … The purpose is to review and discuss the methodological and philosophical weaknesses, as well cultural bias, in the DSM-5. … one definitely worth checking out if you deal with the DSM at all.” (Brett C. Plyler, Doody's Book Reviews, July, 2015) From the Back Cover Since its third edition in 1980, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) of the American Psychiatric Association has acquired a hegemonic role in the health care professions and has had a broad impact on the lay public. The publication in May 2013 of its fifth edition, the DSM-5, marked the latest milestone in the history of the DSM and of American psychiatry. In The DSM-5 in Perspective: Philosophical Reflections on the Psychiatric Babel, experts in the philosophy of psychiatry propose original essays that explore the main issues related to the DSM-5, such as the still weak validity and reliability of the classification, the scientific status of its revision process, the several cultural, gender, and sexist biases that are apparent in the criteria, the comorbidity issue, and the categorical vs. dimensional debate. For several decades the DSM has been nicknamed “The Psychiatric Bible.” This volume would like to suggest another biblical metaphor: the Tower of Babel. Altogether, the essays in this volume describe the DSM as an imperfect and unachievable monument – a monument that was originally built to celebrate the new unity of clinical psychiatric discourse, but that ended up cre