StijnVanheulePsychiatric Diagnosis Revisited: From DSM to Clinical Case Formulation2017Palgrave MacmillanCham, Switzerland

Abstract

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), now in its fifth edition, remains the guiding framework for clinical diagnosis and research throughout psychiatry, psychology, and related fields. 1 American Psychiatric AssociationDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th ed. American Psychiatric Press, Washington, DC2013 Crossref Google Scholar Despite its prominent role in guiding both clinical practice and research, limitations are well documented, including critiques of specific DSM diagnostic categories, the general approach of categorical diagnosis, and the philosophical framework guiding the field’s understanding of what constitutes “disorder.” 2 Cantwell D.P. Baker L. Issues in the classification of child and adolescent psychopathology. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 1998; 27: 521-533 Abstract Full Text PDF Scopus (40) Google Scholar , 3 Widiger T.A. Clark L.A. Toward DSM-V and the classification of psychopathology. Psychol Bull. 2000; 126: 946-963 Crossref PubMed Scopus (363) Google Scholar In Psychiatric Diagnosis Revisited: From DSM to Clinical Case Formulation, Stijn Vanheule examines the limitations of DSM diagnostic classification and proposes an alternative based on case formulation and principles of qualitative research. The critiques raised echo those levied at the DSM since its inception, and Vanheule incorporates both current and seminal references to capture the rich history of these criticisms, as well as their ongoing relevance. Although Vanheule uses a primarily psychoanalytic lens, his perspectives cut across theoretical orientations and speak to many of the current controversies receiving attention in clinical psychiatric and psychological research and practice.