Abstract
For many years, there has been a vast debate on the issue of diagnosis and the classification system. The question presented in this essay addresses this very subject. Throughout my experience within mental health services, I have been overwhelmed with frustration and confusion as I feel the issues surrounding diagnosis have been overlooked and the focus has become more on identifying professions and power. Having experience in working in a multi-disciplinary setting, I have observed such dynamics. I felt that there was a constant need to re-iterate 'the power of psychiatry' in comparison to other professions, particularly psychology. My perspective on this is that this would sometimes take indirect precedence over other matters that clearly needed more attention, such as what does the service user want and need. These experiences contribute to my decision on choosing this particular question to explore and discuss further. It is very easy to become focused on one particular perspective, however, here is an excellent opportunity to consider various viewpoints and the issues that arise for each. Most importantly, it provides a possibility to discuss issues this raises for service users. Also, for the purposes of clarification, my inference of the question is that, 'if we wake up tomorrow and diagnosis and the diagnostic manual was abandoned, what impact would this have?' Throughout this essay, terms such as 'diagnosis' and 'DSM-IV' will be referred to and it is an important first step to define these in order to provide clarity. Secondly, the controversies will be outlined briefly to provide a context in which they will be applied. Finally, the main focus of the essay will explore what issues might arise if there was no diagnostic manual for psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, service users and myself.