The Task Force undertaking the revision of the The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders has made the current draft revisions available for public comment until June 15, 2011. Christina and I urge you to take a few minutes to voice your opinions to the DSM-V Task Force about the current draft of proposed changes to "Trichotillomania" and "Skin Picking."
The "DSM", published by the American Psychiatric Association, is the common reference book used to diagnose mental disorders. It greatly influences how doctors, researchers and insurance companies think about hair pulling and skin picking. (FYI: Skin Picking isn't even included in the current edition). The process for revising this book is a worldwide effort that takes years of study and negotiation. It only happens once every decade or two.
Last April, TLC and many of you answered the call to send in comments on an early draft - and I am happy to say that the current draft DOES reflect much of the feedback we provided. Thank you! But we must keep up our efforts if we want the best possible end product.
The current proposed revisions can be viewed here - and you can log-in to give your feedback:
These are the key points we hope you'll make in your feedback:
- Diagnostic Criteria for Trichotillomania: We strongly support the elimination of criteria B&C and the elimination of the word "noticeable" from criteria A. Thank you!
- Name Change for Trichotillomania: We strongly support the name change to "Hair Pulling Disorder", as it is more accurate and less stigmatizing than trichotillomania. Thank you!
- Skin Picking Disorder: We applaud the current inclusion of Skin Picking Disorder as a new diagnostic category and its placement in the same grouping of disorders as Hair Pulling Disorder (trichotillomania).
- We are concerned, however, that the title "OCD and Related Disorders" for the overarching category of disorders will be misleading in that it suggests greater similarities between OCD and Hair Pulling Disorder/Skin Picking Disorder than have been shown to exist. Hair Pulling Disorder is already commonly misdiagnosed as "OCD", leading to confusion and ineffective treatment. We propose that a category name of "Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Body-Focused Repetitive Behavior Disorders" or "Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Body-Focused Disorders" would be more accurate. Thank you!
- We believe that severe Nail Biting, and similar behaviors such as cheek biting, belong in the same category as Hair Pulling and Skin Picking. Thank you!
- We are concerned that the proposed criteria for "non-suicidal self-injury" would not exclude hair pulling and skin picking disorders, and would cause confusion and ineffective treatment. Thank you!
TLC's Scientific Advisory Board has submitted feedback to the committee - you can read their letter here >>
Please log on and voice your opinion today. Together we CAN make a difference! Thank you.
With Love,
Jennifer Raikes
TLC Executive Director
p.s. Another important way to make your voice heard is to Become a TLC Member.
