Family | News | New mental health guidance 'raises concerns'

New mental health guidance 'raises concerns'

12:00am Thursday 29th July 2010 content supplied by Netmums

More people could be diagnosed with mental health disorders if new guidance is taken on board by medical professionals, one expert has suggested.

The American Psychiatric Association created the manual, which is expected to be used all over the world, the BBC reports.

A number of new diagnoses, such as temper dysregulation disorder, psychosis risk syndrome and mixed anxiety depression, are included in the guidebook.

However, in an article in the Journal of Mental Health Dr Felicity Callard claimed the literature could lead to people being over-diagnosed.

"There are very big potential implications on how people, particularly adolescents, respond to being told they have a mental illness. It's likely there will be harmful consequences," she stated.

Earlier this month, the government announced plans to reform the NHS and one charity has urged officials to make sure mental health does not "lose out" as a result.

Chief executive of Mind Paul Farmer claimed the litmus test for the revamped NHS will be whether it can meet the needs of those with mental health problems.

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