Work

Should distress and impairment be required for psychiatric diagnosis?

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: DSM-style diagnostic criteria often require distress or impairment. We distinguish four questions: why a condition belongs in psychiatric classification, whether an individual meets its criteria, how significant it is for that person and what response is warranted. Distress and impairment should not be universal requirements for individual diagnosis.

Source: The British Journal of Psychiatry

DOI: 10.1192/bjp.2026.10876

Authors: Christiaan H. Vinkers, Derek W. Strijbos, Gerben Meynen

Institutions: Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Radboud University Nijmegen, Dimence, Utrecht University

Language: English

Topic: Mental Health and Psychiatry

Subfield: Philosophy

Field: Arts and Humanities

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: bronze

OpenAlex ID: W7225663257