The DSM-IV-TR 'Glossary of Technical Terms': a reappraisal

Abstract

Many of the entries in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition - Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR) are problematic along multiple axes, including, but not limited to, clarity, logical coherence, factual content, redundancy, and ambiguity. These problems pose multiple barriers to clear, efficient, and accurate communication among those who work in clinical contexts or among those involved in psychological or psychiatric research. These barriers to communication, accurate concept formation, and clinical clarity affect diagnostic validity and reliability in a manner that imperils progress in psychiatry and psychology on a grand scale. This essay focuses on some of the most egregious problematic entries in the DSM-IV-TR's 'Glossary of Technical Terms'. It is meant to be a prolegomenon to a thorough revision of the Glossary in preparation for the projected 5th edition of the DSM.