Story perspectives

Experts Urge Shift Back to Psychopathology in Psychiatry

10/29/2025

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Summary

Story summary

The DSM-based approach in American psychiatry has led to neglect of psychopathology and doubts about diagnostic validity.
Since DSM-III in 1980, psychiatry shifted away from phenomenology and nosology toward symptom management.
The focus on symptom management has compromised scientific integrity, contributing to diagnostic overlap and inflated comorbidity.
Experts argue for returning to the study of psychopathology to improve diagnostic validity and treatment outcomes.

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Story summary

The DSM-based approach in American psychiatry has led to neglect of psychopathology and doubts about diagnostic validity.
Since DSM-III in 1980, psychiatry shifted away from phenomenology and nosology toward symptom management.
The focus on symptom management has compromised scientific integrity, contributing to diagnostic overlap and inflated comorbidity.
Experts argue for returning to the study of psychopathology to improve diagnostic validity and treatment outcomes.