A study co-authored by ICVS researchers Afonso Fernandes, Matilde Gomes and Pedro Morgado has been chosen as Editor’s Choice by the Journal of Psychopathology and Clinical Science, American Psychological Association’s journal.
The paper, “The Rise of Normality in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: Causes and Implications for Diagnosis, Practice, and Validity,” explains how the term “normal” has been increasingly used in psychiatry’s leading guide of diagnosis, the DSM, from its first publication through to DSM-5. The authors point out that while “normal” is employed to distinguish mental illness from health, the term is indeterminate and heavily dependent on social and cultural expectations.
- Occurrence of the word “normal” and other related terms in each chapter of the DSM-5. Each circular plot represents a chapter, and the dots within each circle correspond to a diagnosis. The length of each line extending from the center of the circle to a dot indicates the frequency of the term “normal” and related terminology within the text of that particular diagnosis.
The study warns that relying on this vague idea of “normal” may result in problems in the diagnosis of mental disorders. Modern approaches trying to measure mental health continue to rest on assumptions of normality, without clearly identifying what the word actually means. New technology such as digital monitoring and big data may exacerbate this, “by equating statistical averages with indicators of mental health”.
2. From left to right: Afonso Fernandes, Matilde Gomes and Pedro Morgado
Being selected as an Editor’s Choice paper means that this study is highly impactful and relevant in the field of psychopathology. The paper will be featured in the journal’s Editor’s Choice newsletter and posted for free for 30 days to the broader scientific community.
