Comments from the trenches: Proposed Changes to the DSM-V classification of pathological gambling.
The proposed DSM-V changes related to the pathological gambling diagnosis hold far-reaching implications, yet these modifications have been met with little public attention. This letter addresses the three changes proposed including the diagnosis' reclassification alongside other addictive behaviors, the lowering of the pathological gambling threshold to the endorsement of 4 symptoms, and the removal of the "illegal acts" criterion. Support for the initial change is well documented, but there is evidence to suggest that the latter two changes should be reconsidered.
The Institute of Gambling Education and Research, The University of Memphis, 202 Psychology Bldg, Memphis, TN 38152, USA. gmitzner@memphis.edu
George B
GB
Mitzner
James P
JP
Whelan
Andrew W
AW
Meyers
D016739:Behavior, Addictive / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005715:Gambling / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D011594:Psychometrics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results