Rumors have circulated that a new DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) is in the works.
The DSM is a standard for Diagnosing “mental disorders” in most of the medical world.
Such disorders as Bipolar disorder, Anxiety Disorder, Personality Disorders, etc.
The term “Disorder” is a bit vague, as theses diagnosis are given based on listed symptoms and behaviors.
I myself was diagnosed with Bipolar disorder, because I meet the criteria of symptoms for Bipolar Affect Disorder I.
I would think it is more accurate to call it Bipolar “Syndrome”…Every person who is diagnosed with Mental Disorders has unique group of symptoms.The terminology is really for treatment, more than pidgeon hole condition.
I have grown tired of telling people “I am Diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder” or the ultra-ugly phrase “I am a Mental Illness Manager. Quite frankly most Mental Illness managers are far less ill then “normal” folks. So I have been thinking about the word choices.
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Holistic terms such as “Wellness” or “Mind /body wellness” have caught on, as of late. I like these Buzz words and I am now suggesting they be incorporated into the DSM 5 .
I am now using these phrase at my Pennsylvania Echoes Blog:
Mental Wellness Management instead of “diagnosis with Mental disorder.” …or the inaccurate term “Mental illness”
Just the Same Mental Wellness Recovery and occasionally Bipolar wellness management and so on.
Mental Wellness is part of whole of Wellness Management just as my body wellness is. I manage them as one.
There!
I hope the creators of the new DSM catch on to this idea.
please leave your suggestions for your own buzzword choices.
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