Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

A Necessary Evil, Kaitlyn Marsh

The Diana McDonald Writer's Challenge

In this research essay, Kaitlyn Marsh clearly explains the benefits of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Illnesses (DSM), in terms of promoting more humane treatment of people with mental illness, offering credibility that mental illness is in fact a medical issue, and establishing consistency in how psychologists and psychiatrists diagnose and treat patients. However, Kaitlyn also explains how the thorough diagnostic checklists and information have enabled “big pharma” to exploit the DSM to generate a dramatic increase in the numbers of Americans being diagnosed with and medicated for mental illness. She concludes that the DSM is an invaluable …