Allen Frances
Encyclopedia
Allen J. "Al" Frances is an American
psychiatrist
. He was chair of the DSM-IV Task Force. He also served as Chair of the department of psychiatry at Duke University School of Medicine
. He is currently professor emeritus at Duke.
Frances co-authored Am I Okay?: A Layman's Guide to the Psychiatrist's Bible with psychiatrist Michael First
.
Frances has been critical of proposed revisions to the DSM-V. In a 2010 Wired
interview, therapist Gary Greenberg wrote, "The fact that diseases can be invented (or, as with homosexuality
, uninvented) and their criteria tweaked in response to social conditions is exactly what worries critics like Frances about some of the disorders proposed for the DSM-5—not only attenuated psychotic symptoms syndrome but also binge eating disorder
, temper dysregulation disorder, and other 'sub-threshold' diagnoses."
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
psychiatrist
Psychiatrist
A psychiatrist is a physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders. All psychiatrists are trained in diagnostic evaluation and in psychotherapy...
. He was chair of the DSM-IV Task Force. He also served as Chair of the department of psychiatry at Duke University School of Medicine
Duke University School of Medicine
The Duke University School of Medicine is Duke University's medical school operating under the auspices of the Duke University Medical Center. Established in 1925 by James B...
. He is currently professor emeritus at Duke.
Frances co-authored Am I Okay?: A Layman's Guide to the Psychiatrist's Bible with psychiatrist Michael First
Michael First
Michael B. First is an American psychiatrist who focuses on diagnostic criteria for mental disorders. He is Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at Columbia University. First was the Editor of the DSM-IV-TR, the Editor of Text and Criteria for the DSM-IV, and the editor of the Structured Clinical...
.
Frances has been critical of proposed revisions to the DSM-V. In a 2010 Wired
Wired (magazine)
Wired is a full-color monthly American magazine and on-line periodical, published since January 1993, that reports on how new and developing technology affects culture, the economy, and politics...
interview, therapist Gary Greenberg wrote, "The fact that diseases can be invented (or, as with homosexuality
Homosexuality
Homosexuality is romantic or sexual attraction or behavior between members of the same sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, homosexuality refers to "an enduring pattern of or disposition to experience sexual, affectional, or romantic attractions" primarily or exclusively to people of the same...
, uninvented) and their criteria tweaked in response to social conditions is exactly what worries critics like Frances about some of the disorders proposed for the DSM-5—not only attenuated psychotic symptoms syndrome but also binge eating disorder
Binge eating disorder
Binge eating disorder is the most common eating disorder in the United States affecting 3.5% of females and 2% of males and is prevalent in up to 30% of those seeking weight loss treatment...
, temper dysregulation disorder, and other 'sub-threshold' diagnoses."
External links
- Psychiatrists Propose Revisions to Diagnosis Manual. via PBS Newshour, Feb 10, 2010 (interviews Frances and Alan SchatzbergAlan SchatzbergAlan F. Schatzberg is an American psychiatrist. He is the 136th president of the American Psychiatric Association .- External links :...
on some of the main changes proposed to the DSM-5)