Week 2 Discussion

Social Misuse of Diagnosis: Pathologizing Marginalized Populations: Renee Anderson, PhD

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Social Misuse of Diagnosis: Pathologizing Marginalized Populations: Renee Anderson, PhD Program Transcript

RENEE ANDERSON: Hi, I'm Dr. Anderson. I'm a licensed professional clinical counselor and I've been practicing for over 14 years. During this time, I've used a couple of the DSMs. I use the current DSM 5, and I've used the previous version, the DSM-IV-TR. And while the DSM is a great tool, it needs to be used with cautionary measure and viewed within the context of social norms and current times.

Some diagnoses have pathologized certain groups of people. Certain marginalized groups of people. For example, historically, homosexuality was listed as a diagnosis which pathologized people who identify as gay and lesbian. In today's DSM 5, there's is a diagnosis called premenstrual dysphoric disorder, which pathologizes women and women's natural biological processes.

The diagnosis implies that women should be able to control the hormone and chemical production and levels in their bodies. Another diagnosis is gender dysphoric disorder which can pathologize transgender people. For example, I had a client in the prison who was a transgender female to male. He had been taking hormones for years, he had identified as male, he looked male. For all intents and purposes, he was male.

However, the prison's medical department formulary didn't cover hormones. So he needed that diagnosis so that he could receive his hormone medication while in prison. While the DSM might have some diagnoses that pathologized people, it can also do some good, like getting that person, my client, the hormone medication. Also, because the DSM works under a medical model, we need to provide a diagnosis in order to be reimbursed for treatment.

For example, could you imagine if a medical doctor was treating a patient for weeks, or months, or even years without having diagnosed the problem? That medical doctor's license would probably be called into question. We often need a diagnosis. We need to identify the problem in order to provide a solid treatment plan in order to find a good direction for treatment. With all of that being said, I just want to emphasize that it's just important to view the DSM through a social context and with measured caution.

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Social Misuse of Diagnosis: Pathologizing Marginalized Populations: Renee Anderson, PhD

© 2020 Walden University 2

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Social Misuse of Diagnosis: Pathologizing Marginalized Populations: Renee Anderson, PhD

© 2020 Walden University 3

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