American Psychiatric Association updating to DSM V in 2013 to include Broader Diagnosis for Disorders

While many attorneys deal with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) in the context of criminal competency examinations, the news about the coming changes in DSM V have other, broad implications for mental health care, education and drug company profits.  


The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and the American Psychiatric Association (APA) initiated a DSM-V Research Planning Conference in 1999.  Work groups are developing draft updates to the chapters of the existing DSM IV.  The American Psychiatric Association reports

The work groups began meeting in late 2007. While the 13 work groups reflect the diagnostic categories of psychiatric disorders in the previous edition DSM-IV, it is expected that those categories will evolve to better reflect new scientific understanding. With the understanding that some continuity from DSM-IV to DSM-V is desirable to maintain order in the practice of psychiatry and continuity in research studies, there has been no pre-set limitation on the nature and degree of change that work groups can recommend for DSM-V.

However, NPR has run an interesting piece highlighting how the updates, which will include broader definitions of many disorders, can dramatically impact school funding for special education programs, as well as drug company bottom lines. 

But [the DSM revision is] not without controversy: The proposed changes suggested this year have sparked a kind of civil war within psychiatry .... Allen Frances, [ ] blames himself for what he calls the "Epidemic of Asperger's." Frances edited the last edition of the DSM, and he's also the new DSM's most prominent critic.  Frances is the one who put the word Asperger's in the DSM in the first place, thereby making it an official mental disorder.

That report chronicles the impact of the broader definition of the disorder to drive an "over diagnosis" of the condition to allow for increased funding for special education, as well as patient demand for new drugs marketed to adults and children.


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Free Medical Clinic to Open Christmas Eve in Yakima, WA

Congratulations to Dr. Ryan Crafts and a team of health care professional volunteers who will open a new, free clinic at the Union Gospel Mission in Yakima, Washington on Christmas Eve.

Dr. Crafts has been tireless in coordinating donated equipment, supplies and volunteers which, admittedly, only begins to scratch the surface of  a massive need for basic medical care of thousands of area residents and itinerant workers.

As Dr. Crafts explains:

A mess of health care workers have volunteered to run a clinic by appointment from 9-3 tomorrow Christmas Eve.  It's pretty sweet little clinic with dental chairs and dental xrays in a couple rooms and 2 small medical exam rooms.   There's not a lot of medical supplies like injectables and lab testing supplies and stuff but we'll get supplies as we go.

Itsa free clinic and we're starting out with just seeing folks living at the mission and working/volunteering at the mission.  Plus I'm allowed to schedule my own home-visit/email patients in there too. 

We'll be doing a walk in clinic for the mission folks on Christmas from 1-5 if anyone wants to stop by and bring us food :)

Donations will be accepted through the Union Gospel Mission in Yakima once arrangements have been made on their website. Yakima is located in south central Washington and has an economy fueled primarily by agriculture.  Much of the nation's apples, pears, cherries, hops, as well as Washington wines are produced in the region.

FCC Approves Net Neutrality Rules for Wireless and Broadband Internet Providers

CNET reports the FCC has approved new rules regarding net neutrality.  This is a much debated issue that affects wireless and fixed broadband internet users.  It is a question of whether an internet provider such as Comcast and Time Warner Cable can block or significantly slow traffic of certain internet sites.

For example, if Time Warner is tired of Netflix taking away too much of its On Demand business - just put the breaks on Netflix streaming to its internet subscribers - make all internet traffic from that site painfully slow or blocked altogether.  Why not block Google or Yahoo too if it suits them?  Republicans have generally opposed Net Neutrality rules (keeping internet service providers from blocking or limiting traffic from certain websites).

CNET reports:

The new Net neutrality rules adopted Tuesday essentially create two classes of service subject to different rules: one that applies to fixed broadband networks and one for wireless networks. The FCC says this is necessary because wireless networks are technologically different from fixed broadband networks. 

The first rule requires both wireless and wireline providers to be transparent in how they manage and operate their networks. 

The second Net neutrality rule prohibits the blocking of traffic on the Internet. The rule applies to both fixed wireline broadband network operators as well as to wireless providers. But the stipulations for each type of network are slightly different.

For fixed broadband networks, operators cannot block any lawful content, services, applications, or devices on their network. Wireless providers area also prohibited from blocking Web sites, but the rule is slightly more lenient when it comes to blocking applications and services. The rule only prohibits these companies from blocking access to applications that specifically compete with a carrier's telephony voice or video services. In each case, the blocking rule also allows fixed and wireless broadband providers to reasonably manage their networks. 

And finally, the last rule applies only to fixed broadband providers. It prohibits fixed wireline broadband providers from unreasonably discriminating against traffic on their network.

It remains unclear whether federal courts recognize the authority of the FCC to enforce Net Neutrality rules. 

If you have questions regarding internet crime, federal investigations, grand jury subpoenas or other state or federal civil or criminal law issues, call the Winiker Law Firm, PLLC, www.winikerlaw.com, (704) 333-8440