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Comments on the proposed criteria for eating disorders in DSM IV
Author(s) -
Beumont Pierre J. V.,
Garner David,
Touyz Stephen W.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
european eating disorders review
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.511
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1099-0968
pISSN - 1072-4133
DOI - 10.1002/erv.2400020203
Subject(s) - publication , openness to experience , eating disorders , set (abstract data type) , association (psychology) , psychology , dsm 5 , special interest group , field (mathematics) , critical appraisal , psychiatry , medicine , political science , alternative medicine , psychotherapist , social psychology , computer science , law , mathematics , pathology , pure mathematics , programming language
The American Psychiatric Association (APA) soon will publish a new system for the classification of psychiatric illnesses, DSM IV. It is likely to become the accepted scheme throughout the world for at least the next decade, exerting a strong influence on clinical work and research (Kendell, 1991). With admirable openness, the APA has promulgated widely the deliberations of the committees charged with designing the new classificatory system, actively seeking comments from American and overseas experts. Proposals were set out in an Options book, and a series of Draft Criteria have now been published (American Psychiatric Association, 1993) from which a fair idea can be gained of how the final version will look. There is an extensive accompanying text, sections of which have also been circulated to consultants with a special interest in the various areas of classification. Field trial results have been assessed and the proposed criteria discussed at the APA's Annual Meeting in May, with a view to publication of the final form of DSM IV early in 1994. While members of the American Association have had ample opportunity to express their views, it is important that other professional groups throughout the world also voice their opinions of the new system as they too will be affected by its implementation. The purpose of the present paper is to present a critical appraisal of the proposed criteria for eating disorders in DSM IV.