Thursday, February 11, 2010

Children's tantrums may be re-classed as psychiatric disorders

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/feb/10/diagnostic-statistical-manual-proposals

It's now time to be very afraid

Childhood temper tantrums, teenage irritability and binge eating may soon rate as psychiatric disorders in the US, according to proposed changes to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, the bible of the psychiatric profession.

The proposals are the product of a 10-year effort to update the handbook, which influences the vast network of American healthcare providers, insurance companies, courts, prisons and universities. At stake are billions of dollars in insurance payments, pharmaceutical sales and medical fees. The proposed revisions, published online today , will be subject to public comment until late April