Shyness in a child and depression after bereavement could be classed as mental illness

By
Jenny Hope

Last updated at 11:49 PM on 9th February 2012

Childhood shyness could be reclassified as a mental disorder under controversial new guidelines, warn experts.

They also fear that depression after bereavement and behaviour now seen as eccentric or unconventional will also become ‘medicalised’.

Internet addiction and gambling might also become forms of illness.

Sweet: But childhood shyness could be classified as a mental disorder as the editors of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders prepare for a fifth edition

Sweet: But childhood shyness could be classified as a mental disorder as the editors of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders prepare for a fifth edition

The threat comes in the form of proposed changes to a U.S. manual of mental disorders, viewed as a bible by some in the field.

Although the changes to the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders would not directly affect clinical practice here – where doctors tend to use different guidelines – experts say it would eventually influence thinking.

Millions of people, including Britons, could be given a psychiatric diagnosis which could ruin their lives, warn psychiatrists and psychologists here.

The DSM5 changes are also opposed by many experts in the U.S., some of whom claim they reflect efforts by drug companies to sell more products.

Simon Wessely, of the Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College, London, said: ‘We need to be very careful before further broadening the boundaries of illness and disorder.

‘Back in 1840 the census of the United States included just one category for mental disorder.

‘By 1917 the American Psychiatric Association recognised 59, rising to 128 in 1959, 227 in 1980, and 347 in the last revision. Do we really need all these labels?

‘Probably not. And there is a real danger that shyness will become social phobia, bookish kids labelled as Asperger’s and so on.’

Compulsive: Internet addiction could also be defined as a mental illness

Compulsive: Internet addiction could also be defined as a mental illness

Peter Kinderman, head of the Institute of Psychology, University of Liverpool, said: ‘It will exacerbate problems that result from trying to fit a medical, diagnostic, system to problems that just don’t fit nicely into those boxes.

‘It will pathologise a range of problems which should never be thought of as mental illnesses. Many who are shy, bereaved, eccentric, or have unconventional romantic lives will suddenly find themselves labelled as “mentally ill”.

‘This isn’t valid, isn’t true, isn’t humane.’

Paraphilic Coercive Disorder – becoming aroused by sexual coercion – is one condition proposed for inclusion in DSM5. Professor Kinderman said there was a danger that rapists diagnosed with it would use it as an excuse.

He added that there were ‘huge concerns’ about the changes, which are opposed by the British Psychological Society.

Other experts say the guidelines will straitjacket clinicians into ‘ticking boxes’ that lead to a proscribed diagnosis. Dr Felicity Callard, of King’s College, warned: ‘People’s lives can be altered profoundly – and sometimes ruinously – by being given a psychiatric diagnosis.’

Among the U.S. psychiatrists against the changes is Allen Frances, of Duke University, North Carolina.

He warned: ‘DSM5 will radically and recklessly expand the boundaries of psychiatry. Many millions will receive inaccurate diagnosis and inappropriate treatment.’

David Elkins, of Pepperdine University, Los Angeles, said individuals could be ‘labelled with a mental disorder for life and many will be treated with powerful psychiatric drugs’.

Defenders of the American Psychiatric Association guidelines say they will make diagnosis more accurate and scientific.

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Ironic that other disorders that are quite plainly pathologies in need of treatment have either been removed from the DSM or downgraded over the years. The fact is that since the 1960s the American Psychiatric Association has become more of a marketing and social engineering group than a serious association of medical professionals. Instead of listening to the qualified opinions of their membership, the peak body instead reponds to pressure from interest groups and other organisations to win favour and income. Sadly, it’s often to the detriment of people who either need help but don’t get it or, as in this case, don’t need help but have it foisted upon them.

Never “mind” the cost of it all…..

The labels themselves are the problem

Why is it I get the impression that the US is becoming more and more dangerous? Not only to itself but the rest of the World. Depression after a losing a loved one?….then I’m depressed….add all these things together and its called LIFE, and no matter how hard you try you will never categorise it.

If this brings in a balanced framework and helps anyone at an early stage, before an illness can reach a state of pathological shyness or major depression, it has to be a good thing. Additionally this should stop varying levels of service by laying out a clear process for health workers to follow.
Of course this shouldn’t be used for everyone and to anyone who thinks getting help for these things does nothing but add a stigma then from experience it is far better to get help then to suffer in solitude.

Are you kidding me? it’s bad enough being stuck with the label when you suffer more valid illnesses such as depression, but to put a label to it over shyness? there’s enough stigma related to mental health without trying to make everyone feel bad about themselves.

How ridiculous to class shyness as a mental disorder. I actually think shyness is a quite a nice quality for people to have which is more than I can say for some people who have far too much to say.

Ludicrous.

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