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What is the DSM 5?
Everyone is somber sometimes, and many people drink too much. But when do you have a mental disorder, such as depression or addiction? A good tool for this is the DSM 5.
Background
What is the DSM-5?
If you know what the letters stand for, it already becomes clearer what the DSM 5 is. It is the fifth version of the "Diagnostic and Statistical manual of Mental disorders. Translated into Dutch as the "Handbook of Classification of Mental Disorders. This psychiatric manual has 1211 pages and weighs over two pounds. There is also a short and concise review of.
The DSM 5 lists all mental disorders, which they know in most countries. From the most common to the rarest. You read by what kind of experiences, perceptions, behaviors and/or traits you recognize them by.
Writers DSM 5
The first version of the "Diagnostic and Statistical manual of Mental disorders" came out in 1952. The latest in 2013. The American Psychiatric Association (APA) publishes the books. But experts from around the world are involved.
Why is a new version of the "Handbook of Classification of Mental Disorders" published once every few years? The time and culture in which we live greatly influence how we think about mental disorders. We are also gaining more and more knowledge about how our brains work.
Application
Who use the DSM 5?
The DSM 5 is the manual for the classification of mental disorders in most countries. For example, in the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium and Luxembourg.
Psychologists and psychiatrists use it as a tool to determine whether a person has a mental disorder. Referrers, such as general practitioners, use it to direct people to appropriate mental health care. And health insurance companies use it in part to determine reimbursement. They only reimburse treatment for DSM 5 disorders (not all disorders).
What is the DSM 5 for U-center
At U-center, we extensively examine whether you have (a combination of) mental disorders. The DSM 5 helps classify or classify these. But much more important is the diagnosis we make.
A diagnosis is a precise description of your situation. For example, your symptoms and how they developed. Your upbringing, experiences and what they meant to you. And what you did to keep yourself going, despite everything. With that we make a treatment plan that fits you. Fortunately, something can be done about almost all (characteristics of) DSM 5 disorders.
Pros and cons
There are several advantages and disadvantages of using the DSM-5.
DSM 5 provides clarity
The biggest advantage of the DSM 5 is that everyone speaks the same language ("the client has an anxiety disorder"). That makes it easier to understand each other, conduct scientific research and make decisions about proper treatment.
The DSM 5 and pigeonholing.
There are also disadvantages to the DSM 5. For example, many clients do not fit well into boxes and the boxes overlap. Depressive symptoms, for example, occur with many other psychological disorders. But then you do not always immediately have depression according to the DSM 5. Still, social workers sometimes give a standard treatment, while the need differs per person.
Comorbidity in the DSM 5
Another drawback of the DSM 5 is that many people have multiple mental disorders that affect each other. This is called comorbidity. This makes it extra important to think outside the box. U-center is the expert in comorbidity treatment. We extensively investigate the cause of various DSM 5 disorders, how they are related and what this means for you. We also offer many different forms of treatment, which we tailor to your situation and wishes.
The DSM 5 and stigmas
What is also a risk of the DSM 5 is that a label like "schizophrenia" or "depression" can lead to negative judgment. While everyone is psychologically vulnerable. More than four in 10 people will have one or more mental disorders, and many others have features of them. Also, many DSM disorders are temporary. At U-center, therefore, labels are not the focus. We look at all your sides (holistically), including what you are good at. In addition, we help you avoid stigmas.
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You are not your condition, but much more than that. If you equate yourself with your disease or diagnosis, nothing remains of you as a person.
Nick Schrijnemaekers, psychologist at U-center
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These mental disorders can be found in the DSM 5
In the DSM-5 you will find the different mental disorders and a description of each disorder. Some of these problem disorders are:
By "depressed," many people think of a gloomy mood. But one only speaks of a depressive mood disorder when there are other characteristics as well. For example, not feeling like anything, weight change, sleep problems, not talking to others much, feelings of inferiority and/or thinking about death. For example, some people have severe depression once, others have mild features for years.
Examples of anxiety disorders include social anxiety disorder, panic disorder and specific phobia (such as fear of spiders, thunderstorms or flying). In an anxiety disorder, you have severe fear reactions, such as fleeing, hiding, panic feelings, sweating and/or accelerated breathing. These are disproportionate to the danger.
Do you have a substance-related or addiction disorder? If so, you are dependent on one or more stimulants, such as alcohol, drugs or medications. When you stop using them, you experience severe withdrawal symptoms. This also includes gambling and gaming addictions, for example. You keep going even though you experience negative consequences. Often addiction leads to other mental disorders.
Trauma and stressor-related disorders come from shocking experiences. For example, a serious traffic accident, crime involving violence, sexual abuse or a war situation. Are you unable to cope with these kinds of experiences? Then you get various psychological problems. For example, feeling numb and flattened. Problems with your memory, sleep and attention. Or irritability, skittishness and anxiety. You also experience the shocking event over and over again in your mind. The best-known form is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Are your experiences and behaviors markedly different from what most others in your culture expect? Are you unable to adapt well to changing situations? And does this bother you a lot in your relationships, work and social life? Then you may have a personality disorder. There are different groups or clusters:
Cluster A personality disorder
You appear strange or eccentric to others. Sometimes you also have psychotic symptoms, such as suspicion. Or you have no interest in contact with others.
Cluster B personality disorder
You come across as fiery, passionate or theatrical to others. How you view yourself varies greatly. Sometimes you also have difficulty controlling your impulses.
These include, for example:
- Antisocial personality disorder: you often display antisocial behavior (usually due to a lack of empathy) and are impulsive.
- Theatrical personality disorder: you show your emotions in an exaggerated way and are always seeking attention.
- Narcissistic personality disorder: you have an exaggerated sense of self-worth and a strong desire to be admired. You also often have difficulty empathizing with others.
Cluster C personality disorder
You appear anxious and vulnerable to others. For example, you avoid contact, are very dependent and/or extremely orderly and perfectionist.
These include, for example:
- Avoidant personality disorder: for fear of rejection, you avoid social contacts even though you want them. You are also ashamed of your shortcomings, which seem much worse than they are.
- Dependent personality disorder: you see yourself as helpless and have low self-esteem. As a result, you make yourself very dependent on others and try very hard for them.
- Compulsive personality disorder: you are extremely perfectionist, orderly, inflexible and critical (and could be more critical of yourself).
Neurodevelopmental disorders are largely due to brain abnormalities. You have them as a child and often keep them as an adult. The best known are: intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder, ADHD and tic disorder.
People with bipolar mood disorder have highly variable moods. Depressive periods alternate with very elated or irritable moods. This used to be called "manic-depressive. You can get this from such things as your genes, drug use or trauma.
People with obsessive-compulsive disorder have thoughts they don't want all the time. And usually unwanted actions. Compulsive thoughts are, for example: I get infected by dirt. Or I did something wrong and it goes completely wrong. Or I think negatively about someone and thereby call misfortune upon them.
The compulsions are designed to prevent this unhappiness. For example, cleaning, washing or checking things very often. This goes so far that normal functioning is no longer possible. Such a disorder develops slowly. Genes, traumatic events and/or personal characteristics play a role.
In dissociative disorder, your psychic functions no longer work well together. For example, your emotions, memories, actions and sense of identity. For example, it seems like you have lost your feelings and act like an automaton. Or you no longer remember personal information. Or you keep changing character. Such dissociation ("disconnection") is a survival mechanism after severe trauma.
'Somatization' means that you have unexplained physical symptoms, such as pain or loss of function. Or you have complaints that are much worse than normal before your illness or disease. Are you suffering badly and can you no longer function well? Then we speak of a mental disorder. Exaggerated fears about your health are also included (hypochondria).
Nutritional and eating disorders are mental disorders that often cause serious physical risks. Such as heart problems and lack of nutrients. Food, weight and the shape of your body have become an obsession for you. The best-known examples are anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. In these, you strive for an unhealthily low weight. In the first example by eating too little and exercising too much. In the second example, by alternating binge eating with vomiting.
Those with a sleep-wake disorder sleep poorly for long periods of time almost every night or have difficulty staying awake during the day. One example is insomnia (insomnia). Another example is sleep apnea (you stop breathing occasionally during sleep). Other people again suffer from narcolepsy (daytime sleep attacks that you can't stop). These types of disorders can have physical causes. Stress also often plays a role.
Recognize
How do you know if you have a DSM 5 disorder?
The Diagnostic and Statistical manual of Mental disorders contains criteria for almost every mental disorder. Through these links you can find the criteria for the DSM 5 disorders depression, anxiety disorder, addiction, post-traumatic stress disorder and personality disorder. U-center treats combinations of these disorders.
What is normal?
Chances are you recognize several DSM 5 criteria in yourself. For example, everyone checks for the second time whether the door is locked. Also, everyone is impulsive or suspicious at times. So having a few idiosyncrasies is normal. Only when you suffer extremely much from them for an extended period of time is it called a DSM 5 disorder. You then no longer function well and suffer. But that, too, is actually normal. It is a logical consequence of how your brain is put together, your upbringing and what you experienced.