Darrel A. Regier – författare

In the ongoing quest to improve our psychiatric diagnostic system, we are now searching for new approaches to understanding the etiological and pathophysiological mechanisms that can improve the validity of our diagnoses and the consequent power of our preventive and treatment interventions - venturing beyond the current DSM paradigm and DSM-IV framework.This thought-provoking volume - produced as a partnership between the American Psychiatric Association, the National Institute of Mental Health, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, and the National Institute on Drug Abuse - represents a far-reaching attempt to stimulate research and discussion in the field in preparation for the eventual start of the DSM-V process, still several years hence. The book ; Explores a variety of basic nomenclature issues, including the desirability of rating the quality and quantity of information available to support the different disorders in the DSM in order to indicate the disparity of empirical support across the diagnostic system.; Offers a neuroscience research agenda to guide development of a pathophysiologically based classification for DSM-V, which reviews genetic, brain imaging, postmortem, and animal model research and includes strategic insights for a new research agenda.; Presents highlights of recent progress in developmental neuroscience, genetics, psychology, psychopathology, and epidemiology, using a bioecological perspective to focus on the first two decades of life, when rapid changes in behavior, emotion and cognition occur.; Discusses how to address two important gaps in the current DSM-IV: (1) the categorical method of diagnosing personality disorders and their relationship with Axis I disorders, and (2) the limited provision for the diagnosis of relational disorders - suggesting a research agenda for personality disorders that considers replacing the current categorical approach with a dimensional classification of personality.; Reevaluates the relationship between mental disorders and disability, asserting that research into disability and impairment would benefit from the diagnosis of mental disorders be uncoupled from a requirement for impairment or disability to foster a more vigorous research agenda on the etiologies, courses, and treatment of mental disorders as well as disabilities and to avert unintended consequences of delayed diagnosis and treatment.; Examines the importance of culture in psychopathology and the main cultural variables at play in the diagnostic process, stating that training present and future professionals in the need to include cultural factors in the diagnostic process is a logical step in any attempt to develop comprehensive research programs in psychology, psychiatry, and related disciplines. This fascinating work, with contributions from an international group of research investigators, reaches into the core of psychiatry, providing invaluable background and insights for all psychology and psychiatry professionals - food for thought and further research that will be relevant for years to come.

Written to help identify major gaps in our knowledge of how gender and age affect psychiatric diagnoses and to stimulate much-needed research, this book serves as both a valuable short-term source for the DSM-V Task Force, and a long-term guide for future studies that will contribute to revised psychiatric classifications in these areas.

DSM-IV and ICD-10 both diagnose personality disorders categorically, yet studies indicate that many patients meet criteria for an excessive number of diagnoses, raising the question of whether personality disorders are discrete conditions or rather distinctions along dimensions of general personality functioning. This collection of papers renews long-standing proposals for a dimensional model of personality disorder, describing alternative models, addressing questions about their clinical application and utility, and suggesting that future research seek to integrate such models within a common hierarchical structure.With contributions by preeminent researchers in the field, Dimensional Models of Personality Disorders is drawn from a conference series convened by APA, WHO, and NIH in order to plan for the fifth edition of the DSM. The Nomenclature Work Group concluded that consideration should be given to basing part or all of DSM-V on dimensions rather than categories, and recommended that a dimensional model for personality disorders should serve as a basis for exploring dimensional approaches in other areas. Accordingly, the volume opens with a presentation of 18 proposals for dimensional models and proceeds with provocative contributions on a number of related issues ranging from hard science to clinical practice. Among the topics addressed are ; Behavioral and molecular genetic research supporting an etiologically informed dimensional classification of personality disorders; The as-yet tenuous associations between dimensional trait measures of personality as contained in the models of Cloninger, Depue, and Siever-Davis, and specific neurobiological measures, as examined in neurotransmitter research; Potential links between childhood and adolescent temperament and personality dimensions and adult personality psychopathology; Studies examining the covariation of personality dimensions across cultures; The continuity of Axis I and Axis II disorders and a proposed hierarchical structure of mental disorders that integrates the psychopathology of Axis I disorders with specific personality traits; The dual challenges of coverage and cutoffs that must be addressed if dimensional models are to be considered viable alternatives to the existing categorical diagnostic system Although the editors acknowledge that concerns are certain to be raised regarding conversion to a dimensional classification - such as the disruption to clinical practice by a radical shift in diagnosing personality disorder - these papers make a strong case for opening the field to alternative ways of enhancing clinical utility and improving the validity of basic classification concepts. Together, they offer stimulating insight into how we approach personality disorders, with the hope of encouraging a new model of diagnosis for DSM-V.

Advancing the Research Agenda for DSM-V, Diagnostic Issues in Dementia comprises nine chapters with research suggestions for consideration for the upcoming DSM-V process, reflecting the nascent effort toward a new diagnostic nomenclature in the still rapidly evolving field of dementia.

This deeply informative compendium distills the work done from 2002 to late 2005 and concludes with recommendations for developing research activities that will inform DSM-V and future editions of the manual. As such, it will prove invaluable for clinicians and researchers everywhere.

This book provides a fascinating and practical review of the epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of this category of disease. Somatic Presentations of Mental Disorders summarizes the proceedings of a unique international conference that convened experts from across disciplines to review perspectives on somatoform disorders.

The proceedings of a conference convened by the APA, in collaboration with the World Health Organization and the U.S. National Institutes of Health, the book explores a dimensional approach to diagnosing substance dependence, major depressive episode, psychosis, anxiety disorders, developmental psychopathology, and personality disorders.

Intended to contribute to DSM-V revisions regarding classification of these disorders, Stress-Induced and Fear Circuitry Disorders reflects findings that may lead to more refined treatments for these conditions based on a better understanding of the biological and environmental factors that contribute to their development.

Public Health Aspects of Diagnosis and Classification of Mental and Behavioral Disorders provides mental health service planners, clinicians and researchers with a better understanding of how the current state of mental health classification and diagnosis impacts public health care.

This book acts as a guidepost for the entire DSM process. It reviews recent scientific advances in our understanding of the inter-relationship between generlized anxiety disorder and major depression, summarizes the body of evidence into a few broad conclusions, and reflects on the implications of these findings for future nosologic efforts.

For the many psychiatrists, psychologists, and other clinicians and researchers striving to bring symptom relief to patients with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and other psychoses, this volume provides an all-important summary of the latest research about the diagnosis and pathophysiology of psychosis.

Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum Disorders: Refining the Research Agenda for DSM-V offers clinicians, academicians, and nosologists an in-depth look at how obsessive-compulsive phenomena are represented in the current diagnostic system and how DSM-V might better address the needs of patients with these disorders.