Values and psychiatric diagnosis

Abstract

After sorting through such a collection of values in mental disorder classification, it is easy to lose perspective and see only an interdependent, confusing thicket of valuational diversity. So many concepts and ideas have been introduced in so little space — hopefully, I and others can continue the sorting in the future. For this concluding chapter I intend not only to stand up and stake out some viewpoints, but also to zoom backwards, away from the jungle of particulars and try to sketch a more encompassing view of values in classification. This ‘topography’ is too general to constitute a genuine conceptual map, but hopefully is an adequate starting place to discuss the revision of the landscape of mental disorder classification. I will try to sketch out a kind of structure for the value considerations in classification. The DSM-IV will be my example, providing the jungle, the topography, and the exemplar.