To receive and diagnosis can often bring clarity to a persons situation and understanding of someones’ behaviour. While helpful it ought not be used as a reason for change not occurring. With the release of the new diagnostic tool, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), due out next year, the inclusion of grief is turning a normal process into a mental illness. Psychiatry bible ‘turns sorrow into sickness’
PSYCHOLOGIST ADELAIDE PSYCHOLOGY
One Response to “Diagnosis of grief”
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Hi Marten,
Interesting article. Given the huge stigma within our society re “mental illness” per se…adding “Grief & Loss” to the list is both unproductive & possibly incredibly harmful.
Experiencing grief is a profound experience as it is, as a natural(expected)result of loss, during an individual’s life-span.
The change in acceptance levels during the past 30 or so years re “grief” & the expression of grief & how it is expressed, has led to a healthy “normalising” of what is a normal event/ process to go through.
“Demonising” grief & loss into a mental illness negates all progress that has been made. Could this “labeling” increase the grief-stricken individuals perception that they have to “suck it up” (internalise)to avoid being considered “mental”?
Great idea…lets make a hard experience even harder!
Regards,
Janette