Evolving psychiatric diagnosis and the DSM: hasten slowly

As the publication date draws closer, concerns grow over the proposed format of the DSM-5

The American Psychiatric Association is currently undertaking a major revision of the Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, and the 5th edition (DSM-5) is due to be published in May 2013. The process of the revision of this publication has been mired in controversy. As we approach its proposed date of publication, the controversy has only grown, with considerable spread of debate into the broader community. Concern about the process of revision of the DSM initially highlighted a number of procedural issues, especially with regard to the manner in which members of the DSM-5 taskforce were committed to secrecy by a confidentiality agreement.1 Concerns have also been voiced about the degree to which members of the taskforce have substantive ongoing or past relationships with the pharmaceutical industry and whether these are adequately mitigated by the current conflict of interest policy.2