22 May 2006
Fun with the DSM-IV
Today was a pretty good day. I basically got my client what he wanted, even though the deck was unexpectedly stacked against us. That’s not what this post is about. During some down time, I browsed the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders,
4th ed. (DSM-IV). I forgot how fun that is. Anyway, some of what I found surprised me. I kinda knew that I could not be diagnosed with a Specific Phobia relating to snakes. The barrier is that it does not interfere with my daily life. If one of my brothers got a pet snake, if someone put one in my bed, or if my office building put snake tanks in the lobby, I would qualify. The middle one might seem odd, but I would not be able to use my bedroom for a long time, if ever, after that. I might not be able to use the room for a long time. I might not even be able to approach piles of clothes or the like for fear a snake is hiding in it. The funny thing is, I was wondering if that would be the case, then the last part of the main entry used the example of someone with an intense and unreasonable fear of snakes who does not live around, nor is otherwise exposed to snakes as an example. I was amused. Rarely does reference answer exactly the question I have.
Also surprising was the extent to which I matched the diagnostic criteria for AD/HD, especially AD/HD-Predominantly Inattentive Type. I’m not saying I have it, but I could and very probably did when I was younger. Each of the inattentive criteria were obviously present from a very early age, and they still are to varying degrees. I am a bit annoyed that no one had me tested, but then again, we were kinda poor.
The thing that really shocked me was the description of not being able to maintain concentration on a conversation. I was floored. I always figured my brain was failing to process what people were saying, despite my attempts to listen. Apparently, it was failing to be attentive, even when I tried to make it. It makes a hell of a lot more sense, and again the description was just like the problem I have.
Interestingly, while it was only clear that I had two pure hyperactivity criteria covered, I fit all the impulsivity ones; especially when I was younger:
(g) often blurts out answers before questions have been completed
(h) often has difficulty awaiting turn
(i) often interrupts or intrudes on others (e.g., butts into conversations or games)
May 23rd, 2006 at 9:51 am
As far as the impulsivity criteria, I would say those three things are also indicative of people starving for attention, aka attention whores, and smart asses.
I bet that if you were tested as a kid, you probably would have been diagnosed with something. Not that you necessarily would have had any disorders, but I think children are being over-diagnosed, which takes away from those who actually have the disorders.