Whatever happened to interpersonal diagnosis? A psychosocial alternative to DSM-III.

Abstract

Concerns about the scientific and clinical shortcomings of the pending DSM-III lead the authors to propose that psychology consolidate its knowledge in the form of an interpersonal behavior taxonomy.A substantial body oj literature suggests that the most useful asspects of current psychiatric diagnostic schemata are psychosocial in nature and that most diagnoses of "functional mental disorders" are made, albeit implicitly, on the basis of observed interpersonal behavior. This article includes a review of social behavior coding models suitable for clinical use and a discussion of how Benjamin's structural analysis of social behavior could be used for developing an interpersonal nosology. The authors highlight the clinical and scientific advantages of such a nosology over traditional psychiatric nomenclature. They also illustrate the application of the Benjamin model to clinical practice with a brief case history and give a specific example of how a DSM-III diagnosis might be translated into this model.

Pathoplasticity of bulimic features and interpersonal problems

“…Current findings parallel previous tests of pathoplasticity with regard to pathological perfectionism, 26 social phobia, 27 and generalized anxiety. 23 McLemore and Benjamin 41 wrote an influential manuscript describing the potential advantages of an interpersonal diagnostic system over the psychiatric symptom-based system that characterizes the DSM. Research since that time has demonstrated that some disorders appear to be pathoplastic to interpersonal problems and others (e.g., rigid personality disorders 42,43 ) appear to be etiologically associated with specific interpersonal patterns.…”

Interpersonal Subtypes in Social Phobia: Diagnostic and Treatment Implications

“…Applying interpersonal theory to diagnosis, McLemore and Benjamin (1979) argued that interpersonal functioning is an essential component of the diagnostic process in addition to the assessment of symptoms. McLemore and Benjamin pointed out that quite often the most useful aspects of psychiatric diagnoses are psychosocial in nature and that most diagnoses of functional mental disorders are made on the basis of observed interpersonal behavior.…”

“…From an interpersonal perspective, it could be argued that the DSM-IV criteria do not fully capture the range of maladaptive responses to social situations that may be exhibited by the socially phobic individual such as compliant, hostile, dominant, and/or submissive reactions (Kachin, Newman, & Pincus, 2001;Kashdan, McKnight, Richey, & Hofmann, 2009). Additionally, the ability to interact successfully with others is a particularly relevant psychotherapy INTERPERSONAL SUBTYPES IN SOCIAL PHOBIA 515 goal for individuals with social phobia, making the assessment of interpersonal functioning essential (Alden & Capreol, 1993;Alden & Phillips, 1990;Hofmann et al, 2004;McLemore & Benjamin, 1979).…”

Factor-analytic support for DSM-III's post-traumatic stress disorder for vietnam veterans

“…The adoption by the American Psychiatric Association of the third edition of the Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM-111) is not the culmination, but rather the reflection of this continual striving for diagnostic specificity (American Psychiatric Association, 1980;Feighner, Robins, & Guze, 1972;Spitzer, Endicott, & Robins, 1975). This process has not been without controversy, and questions have been raised about the particular criteria selected and utilized in DSM-I11 as well as the general assumptions and format (McLermore & Benjamin, 1979;Schacht & Nathan, 1977).…”