Open Letter to the Board of Trustees of the American Psychiatric Association and to the DSM 5 Task Force
Two weeks ago, I wrote a blog opposing the DSM 5's proposal to
reduce the DSM IV bereavement exclusion.
This blog has since gone viral in the most incredible way- 100,000
readers within its first few weeks. It seems that this proposal is experienced
as an outrageous insult by the very people it is intended to help.
I have more than sixteen years experience dealing with tens of
thousands of grieving people whose children die or are dying at any age and
from any cause. To my knowledge, there is no empirical standing for
the arbitrary two-week time frame, and thus this proposal not only contradicts good common sense but also rests on weak
scientific evidence.
One thing in which the literature is clear: long-term psychological
distress is common in this population and other populations suffering traumatic
deaths. In my experience both as a researcher and clinician in the field
and also as a bereaved parent, the DSM 5 proposal is radical, unnecessary,
challenges what it means to be human, and for some may be dangerous.
Those with severe depressive symptoms distinguishable from normal
grief can already be diagnosed as soon as is needed using the DSM IV criteria.
In contrast, DSM 5 would require a distinction between normal grief and mild
depression shortly after the death of a loved one that is often impossible to discern for even
the most experienced clinicians. The DSM 5 may well create
problematic false positives- and thus cause further harm, to an already
vulnerable population. There are many more reasons we oppose these changes,
many of which are outlined in my blog.
Our international organization (MISS Foundation) has 77 chapters
around the world and has helped countless grieving families and the
professionals who serve them. All our services are free and we are a
volunteer-based organization. Our website gets more than one million hits
per month and we have 27 online support groups. We oppose this change
with our minds, with our hearts, and with our numbers.
I speak on behalf of the MISS Foundation's grieving families: Should the
DSM 5 stubbornly ignore the evidence and the mounting professional and public
opposition, our last alternative will be to call for more direct action- in the
short term, our organization will rally the support of Congressional leaders;
in the longer term, we will have no choice but to join a concerted boycott
against the use of the DSM 5 in treating bereaved families facing the death of a child.
Process transparency is also important. Please respond promptly with
an indication of the next steps and timetable in the APA review
process; what is the organizational table for making this decision; on what
grounds will it be made; when will it be announced; and, is there an appeal
process?
On behalf of hundreds of thousands of bereaved people around the
world, I implore you to reverse this poorly conceived and unnecessary decision.
My more than 100,000 readers and I hope to hear from you soon.
Joanne Cacciatore, PhD
For the MISS Foundation
Organizations which currently support our opposition:
Elisabeth Kubler-Ross
Foundation
The Ronan Thompson
Foundation
Good Therapy
International Society for
the Study and Prevention of Perinatal and Infant Death
Hospice and Healthcare
Solutions
Finley’s Footprints
Babies Remembered
Loss Doulas International
Dolores Ann LeGault
Foundation
Swedish National Infant
Foundation
Grieving Dad’s Foundation
Fundacion Esperanza, Mexico
EMMA, Romania
Ciao Lapo, Italy
The Grief Recovery Institute
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Read some of the currently 89 comments from the original blog below, deeply intimate and compelling stories, because the assent of the relevant community is of the utmost importance in this matter.
Fundacion Esperanza, Mexico
EMMA, Romania
Ciao Lapo, Italy
The Grief Recovery Institute
************************************************************************************
Read some of the currently 89 comments from the original blog below, deeply intimate and compelling stories, because the assent of the relevant community is of the utmost importance in this matter.
8 comments:
Dear Dr. Cacciatore,
Please add Fundación Esperanza, México, to the list of associations against the DSM 5 grief exclusion.
Sincerely,
Carla Roel de Hoffmann
President and Founder.
http://frandorf.com/2012/03/21/offending-the-bereaved-thoughts-on-the-controversy-around-the-upcoming-dsm-v-proposed-grief-guidelines/
Fran Dorfman, MA, MSW
http://frandorf.com/2012/03/21/offending-the-bereaved-thoughts-on-the-controversy-around-the-upcoming-dsm-v-proposed-grief-guidelines/
Fran Dorfman, MA, MSW
As a grieving father, bereavement is a natural process, a lifecycle that requires time,patience and a healing regimen that does its best to return those who grieve to a 'new' kind of normalcy.
There is no acceptable calendar of 'cures,' and there is no scientific evidence that supports the DSM newest 'findings' and proposed changes. Diagnosis of mental illness only adds a stigma and drives people back into their corners, with an added burden of pain and confusion.
Science has its place in the treatment of many diseases but a condition such as grief requires people to adjust and adapt to new feelings as they continue their journey.Putting time constraints on those conditions only impedes the road to healing.
Barry Kluger
www.farleykluger.com
The Farley-Kluger Amendment to the FMLA
I'm a bereaved Mom (ex mom) looking for a job and this will affect me! NO.
I'm thrilled to hear your blog on the DSM-5 went viral! We need more of that. I'm tryng the same although with the broader issue of diagnosis. If you're interested, my recent blogs posts are on this topic at loisholzman.org
A very impressive and powerful letter! I applaud your efforts.
When we say we are healing from grief, this seems to imply sickness. But we can also heal from wounds, that have nothing to do with "illness".
I am shocked at the poor revision of the DSM V. It seems clients are not a priority--money and power are.
The politics behind the DMS is thick -- it took years to get homosexuality off the list -- The coding allows the shrinks to get paid. It will be a long fight, but well worth it, especially with Medicare/Medicaid involved. Give 'em hell!
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