09 Jul Discussion: Philosophy of Psychiatry (no citations needed)

Discussion Question 1:  Defining Mental Disorder in the DSM. Doesthis definition reflect any distinctions between mental states, psychologicalstates, and physical states?  Identifyspecific terms in the definition when offering reasons for why you think itdoes or does not make such distinctions. 

DSM-V:

a)      A behavioral or psychological syndrome orpattern that occurs in an individual

b)     Reflects an underlying psychobiologicaldysfunction

c)      The consequences of which are clinicallysignificant distress (e.g., a painful symptom) or disability (i.e., impairmentin one or more important areas of functioning)

d)     Must not be merely an expected response tocommon stressors and losses (ex. the loss of a loved one) or a culturallysanctioned response to a particular event (ex. trance states in religiousrituals)

e)     Not primarily a result of social deviance orconflicts with society

Discussion Question 2:  What are some advantages of taking thereductionist view?  What are someadvantages of the pluralist view?  Forexample, does the reductionist view, based in science, give us the possibilityof a more objective account of mental disorder?

Discussion Question 3:  What stigmas exist and how should they behandled?  Do any of these stigmas makeunfair assumptions about mental disorder (e.g. that a person can just get overit because it is purely in the mind)?