title: What is a mental/psychiatric disorder? From DSM-IV to DSM-V.
abstract: The distinction between normality and psychopathology has long been subject to debate. DSM-III and DSM-IV provided a definition of mental disorder to help clinicians address this distinction. As part of the process of developing DSM-V, researchers have reviewed the concept of mental disorder and emphasized the need for additional work in this area. Here we review the DSM-IV definition of mental disorder and propose some changes. The approach taken here arguably takes a middle course through some of the relevant conceptual debates. We agree with the view that no definition perfectly specifies precise boundaries for the concept of mental/psychiatric disorder, but in line with a view that the nomenclature can improve over time, we aim here for a more scientifically valid and more clinically useful definition.
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Stein
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bolton
authors.forename: K W M
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Fulford
authors.forename: J Z
authors.initials: JZ
authors.lastname: Sadler
authors.forename: K S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Kendler
mesh_terms: D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D011599:Psychopathology; D009626:Terminology as Topic