Abstract
The fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR) is being revised. A proposed revision hotly debated is to remove what is known as the exclusionary criterion and allow clinicians to diagnose a person with a major depressive episode within the early days and weeks following a death. The Executive Committee of the Association for Death Education and Counseling (ADEC) commissioned its Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) to examine the debate over removing the exclusionary criterion and provide a written report. The DSM-IV-TR classifies bereavement as a clinical condition that is not a mental disorder. The exclusionary criterion states that within the first 2 months of the onset of bereavement a person should not be diagnosed as having major depression unless certain symptoms not characteristic of a normal grief reaction are present. We note these symptoms when discussing the exclusionary criterion. In the report we identify the features that comprise the exclusionary criterion, examine reasons (including research conclusions and clinical concerns) given for retaining and for eliminating the exclusionary criterion, offer extensive comments from experienced licensed clinicians about the issues involved, discuss diagnostic and treatment implications, and offer specific recommendations for ADEC to implement.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 199-220 |
| Number of pages | 22 |
| Journal | Omega: Journal of Death and Dying |
| Volume | 63 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jan 1 2011 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Life-span and Life-course Studies
- Health(social science)
- Critical Care and Intensive Care Medicine
Cite this
Bereavement and depression : Possible changes to the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders: A report from the scientific advisory committee of the association for death education and counseling. / Balk, David E.; Noppe, Illee; Sandler, Irwin; Werth, James.
In: Omega: Journal of Death and Dying, Vol. 63, No. 3, 01.01.2011, p. 199-220.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Bereavement and depression
T2 - Possible changes to the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders: A report from the scientific advisory committee of the association for death education and counseling
AU - Balk, David E.
AU - Noppe, Illee
AU - Sandler, Irwin
AU - Werth, James
PY - 2011/1/1
Y1 - 2011/1/1
N2 - The fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR) is being revised. A proposed revision hotly debated is to remove what is known as the exclusionary criterion and allow clinicians to diagnose a person with a major depressive episode within the early days and weeks following a death. The Executive Committee of the Association for Death Education and Counseling (ADEC) commissioned its Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) to examine the debate over removing the exclusionary criterion and provide a written report. The DSM-IV-TR classifies bereavement as a clinical condition that is not a mental disorder. The exclusionary criterion states that within the first 2 months of the onset of bereavement a person should not be diagnosed as having major depression unless certain symptoms not characteristic of a normal grief reaction are present. We note these symptoms when discussing the exclusionary criterion. In the report we identify the features that comprise the exclusionary criterion, examine reasons (including research conclusions and clinical concerns) given for retaining and for eliminating the exclusionary criterion, offer extensive comments from experienced licensed clinicians about the issues involved, discuss diagnostic and treatment implications, and offer specific recommendations for ADEC to implement.
AB - The fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR) is being revised. A proposed revision hotly debated is to remove what is known as the exclusionary criterion and allow clinicians to diagnose a person with a major depressive episode within the early days and weeks following a death. The Executive Committee of the Association for Death Education and Counseling (ADEC) commissioned its Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) to examine the debate over removing the exclusionary criterion and provide a written report. The DSM-IV-TR classifies bereavement as a clinical condition that is not a mental disorder. The exclusionary criterion states that within the first 2 months of the onset of bereavement a person should not be diagnosed as having major depression unless certain symptoms not characteristic of a normal grief reaction are present. We note these symptoms when discussing the exclusionary criterion. In the report we identify the features that comprise the exclusionary criterion, examine reasons (including research conclusions and clinical concerns) given for retaining and for eliminating the exclusionary criterion, offer extensive comments from experienced licensed clinicians about the issues involved, discuss diagnostic and treatment implications, and offer specific recommendations for ADEC to implement.
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U2 - 10.2190/OM.63.3.a
DO - 10.2190/OM.63.3.a
M3 - Article
VL - 63
SP - 199
EP - 220
JO - Omega (United States)
JF - Omega (United States)
SN - 0030-2228
IS - 3
ER -