Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
The words ‘mental retardation’ will not be used on certificates issued to patients who have a mental illness anymore. You can thank the American Psychiatric Association (APA) for that. Recently, APA replaced ‘mental retardation’ in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V) with ‘intellectual disability’. The manual is followed by the psychiatry fraternity the world over.
The aim was to end the stigma and ignorance associated with the mentally ill.
Psychiatrists in the city are happy with this move. They said the words ‘mental retardation’ give an impression that the child is incapable of doing acts that come normal to other children. The society is reluctant to accept such children.
“We conducted a workshop on this issue recently. The aim was to sensitise people. The words ‘mental retardation’ attach a stigma to the patient and his/her family. It’s very painful and indicates and creates an impression in the minds of the people that this patient can never be cured,” said Dr Avinash D’souza, child psychiatrist, Santa Cruz. “The new description will be accepted by society. The patient will benefit and so shall families of the patients.”
DSM-5 (formerly known as DSM-V) is the fifth edition of the APA. In the United States, DSM serves as a universal authority for the diagnosis of psychiatric disorders. Treatment recommendations, as well as payment by health care providers, are often determined by DSM classifications. The change in nomenclature has significant practical importance.
Dr Shubhangi Parkar, head of psychiatry department, KEM Hospital, said, “We saw the painful journey of families whose children suffered with this problem.
The new description will definitely change the attitude towards such patients.”
Intellectual disability is considered below-average intelligence or mental ability and absence of skills required for living a normal daily life.
Article source: http://www.dnaindia.com/health/1863325/report-the-term-is-intellectual-disability-not-mental-retardation
