DSM-III-R and religion.
The interpretation of religion in DSM-III-R contains considerable negative bias and contributes to unfair stereotypes of religious persons. Particularly new religious movements and religious conversion are unfairly interpreted under the DSM-III-R heading, 'Dissociative Disorder Not Otherwise Specified'. It is suggested that a more balanced and respectful interpretation of religion is needed in DSM-III-R, since psychiatry through its official nomenclature should not contribute to social intolerance of religious nonconformity.
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Center for Biomedical Ethics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106.
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002961:Civil Rights; D005610:Freedom; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology; D009781:Occultism; D010565:Persuasive Communication; D011570:Psychiatry / Q000592:standards*; D012068:Religion and Medicine; D013240:Stereotyping; D009626:Terminology as Topic; D014481:United States