I Have Multiple Personalities
Psychiatrists May Change Dsm-5 To Show Multiple Is Not Disorder!... If you, like us, have multiple personalities and you know that's just the way you are -- and not a disorder to be cured -- the following may interest you.
The DSM, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, published by the American Psychiatric Association, is the main diagnostic reference of Mental Health professionals in the United States of America. It catalogues mental disorders, including desc<x>ription, diagnostic criteria, treatment and research findings.
The fifth edition -- DSM-5 -- is now being put together by teams of specialists. Public comment is OPEN on the DSM-5 site, until June 15th, 2011. (this coming Wednesday) There is a crucial change being proposed in the diagnostic criteria for "dissociative identity disorder", and public comment is invited.
(Sign up here: http://www.dsm5.org/Pages/Registration.aspx)
This is what "dissociative identity disorder" will look like in the DSM-5 if the proposed changes are accepted:
http://www.dsm5.org/ProposedRevisions/Pages/proposedrevision.aspx?rid=57
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<b>C. Causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.</b>
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[In other words, if this criterion is included, [i]if being multiple does not interfere with your everyday life then you do not have Dissociative Identity Disorder[/i].]
Criterion C is intended to distinguish DID from culturally accepted multiplicity. This will make being multiple more normal to the doctors and hopefully to the general public!
If this criterion is included, natural and self-recognized multiples can be out in therapy without necessarily getting a DID diagnosis.
It may help group members who seek professional help with issues unrelated to being multiple. There will be more of a chance that group members can help provide background information or insights without fear of being classified as mere symptoms of a mental disease.
Of course, it will take decades before professionals really accept that non-disordered multiplicity is possible, but this is an important step.
The mention of possession is intended to make DID a more globally acceptable diagnosis, replacing dissociative trance disorder and possession in the DSM-IV.
"Broadly accepted cultural or religious practice" will be helpful to Spiritualists and others for whom spirit communication and body-sharing are normal parts of their faith.
If you want to contribute to the public input on the DSM-5 for this or any other issues, go to this link and sign up.
http://www.dsm5.org/Pages/Registration.aspx
After joining go to this link.
http://www.dsm5.org/ProposedRevisions/Pages/proposedrevision.aspx?rid=57
Once you're signed in, there's a place near the bottom of the page for comments. Tell them criterion C should be part of the DID diagnosis. This will help to take the label of mental illness off those of us who do not want it. Deadline is June 15th, 2011 (this Wednesday!), so don't wait.
The DSM, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, published by the American Psychiatric Association, is the main diagnostic reference of Mental Health professionals in the United States of America. It catalogues mental disorders, including desc<x>ription, diagnostic criteria, treatment and research findings.
The fifth edition -- DSM-5 -- is now being put together by teams of specialists. Public comment is OPEN on the DSM-5 site, until June 15th, 2011. (this coming Wednesday) There is a crucial change being proposed in the diagnostic criteria for "dissociative identity disorder", and public comment is invited.
(Sign up here: http://www.dsm5.org/Pages/Registration.aspx)
This is what "dissociative identity disorder" will look like in the DSM-5 if the proposed changes are accepted:
http://www.dsm5.org/ProposedRevisions/Pages/proposedrevision.aspx?rid=57
***
<b>C. Causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.</b>
***
[In other words, if this criterion is included, [i]if being multiple does not interfere with your everyday life then you do not have Dissociative Identity Disorder[/i].]
Criterion C is intended to distinguish DID from culturally accepted multiplicity. This will make being multiple more normal to the doctors and hopefully to the general public!
If this criterion is included, natural and self-recognized multiples can be out in therapy without necessarily getting a DID diagnosis.
It may help group members who seek professional help with issues unrelated to being multiple. There will be more of a chance that group members can help provide background information or insights without fear of being classified as mere symptoms of a mental disease.
Of course, it will take decades before professionals really accept that non-disordered multiplicity is possible, but this is an important step.
The mention of possession is intended to make DID a more globally acceptable diagnosis, replacing dissociative trance disorder and possession in the DSM-IV.
"Broadly accepted cultural or religious practice" will be helpful to Spiritualists and others for whom spirit communication and body-sharing are normal parts of their faith.
If you want to contribute to the public input on the DSM-5 for this or any other issues, go to this link and sign up.
http://www.dsm5.org/Pages/Registration.aspx
After joining go to this link.
http://www.dsm5.org/ProposedRevisions/Pages/proposedrevision.aspx?rid=57
Once you're signed in, there's a place near the bottom of the page for comments. Tell them criterion C should be part of the DID diagnosis. This will help to take the label of mental illness off those of us who do not want it. Deadline is June 15th, 2011 (this Wednesday!), so don't wait.
61-69, M
