Lecture 2

Question 1

What are some critiques of the DSM 5?

Answer 1

1. It was a non-transparent process
2. Western bias
3. “Not otherwise specified”
4. “False epidemics”
5. Low inter-rater reliability

Question 2

What is the idea of a continuum of mental health?

Answer 2

Mental health should not be divided into two separate categories. Rather the continuum of mental health suggests that everybody rests on a continuum, and no one is different from another in our need for mental well-being. Helps to reduce stigma and increase relatability among people.

Question 3

What are the benefits of labels?

Answer 3

1. Less blame for behaviors
2. A way to organize thoughts – shorthand for professionals
3. Clients feel validated
4. Medicalization reduces stigma potentially
5. Access to services

Question 4

What are the cons to labels?

Answer 4

1. It influences the way the clients see themselves

2. Diminishes a person’s understanding of their future capacities

Question 5

How do diagnoses affect women?

Answer 5

1. It fails to see the individual
2. Blames the individual
3. Ignores the social context
4. Gives off the impression of the person having a deficit

Question 6

What is the Rosenhan (1973) study?

Answer 6

Had 8 participants perform as pseudo-patients and checked themselves into a mental health facility, claiming to hear voices. Once they were admitted, they acted normally, but the doctors would see everything they did as a part of their illness? Given no freedom, and could only be let out if they accepted the diagnosis of schizophrenic.

An example of how diagnoses fail to see the individual as a separate entity from their illness.

Question 7

How can social workers use the diagnostic process to their advantage?

Answer 7

Social workers are not anti-psychiatry, but have a voice in editing and adapting the diagnostic labels in order to promote empowerment and their best interest for the clients.