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SUMMARY:On conceptual engineering in psychiatry: is it time to eliminate o
 r reappropriate the category of psychiatric disorder? - Miriam Solomon (Te
 mple University)
DTSTART:20250220T153000Z
DTEND:20250220T170000Z
UID:TALK227062@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Dr. Rosanna Dent
DESCRIPTION:The concept of psychiatric (mental) disorder became widespread
  in the late 20th century\, as a sometimes literal\, sometimes metaphorica
 l\, extension of the more general category of physical disease. It has fac
 ilitated medicalization of some psychological conditions\, such as those l
 isted in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders of the 
 American Psychiatric Association (DSM). At the same time\, it has generate
 d controversy about the scope and consequences of its applicability. 'Psyc
 hiatric disorder' has become a 'hembig' concept: one with normative (hegem
 onic) content\, ambiguous meanings\, and wide (big) scope. This has led to
  ongoing uncertainty and disagreement about what falls under the scope of 
 psychiatric disorder. Many proposed definitions are circular. Practical co
 nsequences of these 'hembig' characteristics include inappropriate stigmat
 ization\, patient refusals of diagnoses\, uncertain eligibility for health
 care and disability accommodations\, concerns about overdiagnosis\, and wo
 rries about elite capture of resources. I will argue that understanding th
 e evolving meaning of 'psychiatric disorder' is helpful as a preliminary t
 o recommendations about how to go forward with (or without) this concept.
LOCATION:Hopkinson Lecture Theatre\, New Museums Site
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