For those of us who oppose the changes to the DSM

Post Reply New Topic

I'm exhausted and can't go through every thread, so I apologize if this has already been mentioned. However if it hasn't, there is a petition going around and you can sign it if you oppose the changes to the DSM and the way that it may exclude people. It's here. Just thought I'd let you guys know if you hadn't seen it. I was very happy that my sister and her boyfriend mentioned that they'd signed it in support of me when I talked to them earlier.

Just a suggestion, you might want to make the link a little easier to find.

I've signed the petition.

Signed. I hope this petition works; doesn't look like it's aiming for very many signatures.

Could someone explain how the new DSM would exclude people? I've looked at the proposed criteria and I don't really see it.

I don't see it either. It's pretty much the same thing, other than needing one more criterion in the social domain (but then, all clinical descriptions of AS point to all of them being there to some extent, clinically).

I recall reading that they did their own study which showed people weren't excluded, and it was one of the aims in the first place (ironically).

I also read that their study said this, though their study could be a bit biased. I've heard of several other studies saying that many people could be excluded and I'm prepared to believe that, but I haven't been able to find any links with more details on each study: how they got the data etc.

I can't see anything in the proposed criteria that seems wrong, and maybe people who lose their diagnosis will find a new and more useful/accurate diagnosis, some kind of anxiety disorder or something, just a guess.

Going up against the APA? Good luck. It's all pretty much finalised now. Either way, you would never have won.

Look on the bright side, they can't prescribe any medication for AS once it goes. You lost this round big pharma!

Note: there's some sarcasm in there. I'm not sure where. I'm tired.

Aspergers is being rebadged ASD Severity Level 1. What is the issue?

Jason

It seems to me they just shuffled things around a bit.

The only thing that may exclude me is the "severity scale," but, no matter how you slice it, whether someone is "disabled" in their daily life come down to a matter of personal opinion...........which is exactly how it is now.

Personally, yes, I have Aspergers as according to the medical professional who diagnosed me. Yes, I can and do work for a living, and I can drive and clean myself too. I still have Aspergers, though. If that upsets someone who can't work or clean themselves...........that's unfortunate, but I don't really care. There are more dimensions to "disability" than the American political version where it all comes down to whether or not you can obtain a paycheck.

^^^ More or less, what she said.

I care about my diagnosis for the sake of being able to get amphetamines and desipramine, but as long as my med supply doesn't dry up, I'm perfectly capable of having a real career, driving, and owning a home (though it might be a bit... um... messy. Sigh...)

If they add a footnote somewhere declaring that "Asperger Subtype" is an official synonym for "ASD Level 1", I'll be a happy camper.

That said, I'll be shocked if the APA doesn't eventually get prodded into adding a "Level 0" to describe individuals who exhibit obvious Aspie wiring, but aren't really severe enough to require government services beyond the right to buy CII meds without harassment, and maybe an official "get out of taking the MMPI" card to throw at Human Resources if necessary.

Severity 1:

Without supports in place, deficits in social communication cause noticeable impairments.  Has difficulty initiating social interactions and demonstrates clear examples of atypical or unsuccessful responses to social overtures of others.  May appear to have decreased interest in social interactions. 

Rituals and repetitive behaviors (RRB’s) cause significant interference with functioning in one or more contexts.  Resists attempts by others to interrupt RRB’s or to be redirected from fixated interest.

That's pretty light really.. It doesn't go on to say what level of support that is, so,support could be as basic as awareness from HR or visiting a support group. If you don't need even this level of support then you clearly don't require the diagnosis. Even level 3 doesn't dictate any particular support level.

The only change I see, is that some people will not want a label containing the word autism, where they may have been happier to accept the aspergers dx.

Jason

I think the DSM V is softer myself... I wonder how scientific the studies are...

Anyone who reads the DSM V criteria and gets worried should read the DSM IV criteria as well; considering all the controversy they're actually amazingly similar.