- Why might cultural differences make a valid diagnosis unachievable?
- What evidence exists to suggest that the DSM is valid in non-US cultures?
- What evidence is there to suggest that cultural differences affect diagnoses? You need to read the long R and V essay to help you answer this question. How does this link with the 4Ds of diagnosis?
- How has section 3 is the DSM5 helped practitioners in their diagnosis of people from diverse cultural backgrounds?
- Think about the case study of Calvin and how this links to issues of diagnosing people of differing cultural backgrounds.
A useful clip about DSM 5 and cultural issues: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9C_K37i2R4
http://schizophreniabulletin.oxfordjournals.org/content/40/Suppl_4/S213.full
This film explains how cultural differences impact the experience of hearing voices, commonly understood in Western society as a symptoms of a psychotic disorder in need of diagnosis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L44uHPNiUaM
Think about how differing experiences may link with danger, distress and dysfunction, the 3 of the 4 Ds of diagnosis suggested int he article by Davis, (2000): the-4ds-of-diagnosis
In terms of ethical considerations in diagnosis, you need to consider how wrongful diagnoses, either a type 1 or type 2 errors could impact individuals, families and society for better or for worse. I am also linking here the ethical code of conduct for UK practitioners who are at the front line in terms of delivering psychological services to the public.
Read this fascinating article about Shamanism and the treatment an American young man with schizophrenia:
THE DSM 5 has introduced various changes to assist clinicians in making valid diagnoses with people from a range of cultural backgrounds, this fact-sheet reviews some of the changes: apa_dsm_cultural-concepts-in-dsm-5
psychologyrocks 