Cross-Examining Psych Doctors-Tip #24-Incomplete Disorders

When you see that a doctor has diagnosed a Major Depressive Disorder, check to see if the diagnosis is complete.  The American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) indicates that in order to diagnose any form of a Major Depressive Disorder correctly it is necessary to specify whether the disorder has been of the Single Episode or the Recurrent variety and also to specify the severity of the disorder.  In fact, the DSM indicates that not only must the doctor verbally describe these factors but they must also provide numerical diagnostic codes to unambiguously identify the specific Major Depressive Disorder they wish to diagnose.  When you see that the doctor has provided an incomplete Major Depressive Disorder, you should ask them where in their report they provided the information about their diagnosis as required by the DSM and of course, you should always make sure that the doctor has provided enough information in their report to indicate that all of the diagnostic criteria were satisfied.

Check out my blog (http://drleckart.blogspot.com).  More help can be found at my website (www.drleckartwetc.com) and in my book Psychological Evaluations In Litigation: A Practical Guide for Attorneys and Insurance Adjusters