Adding a New Diagnosis to the DSM: How Prolonged Grief Disorder Became an Official Diagnosis-View Presentation

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Video Summary

The session focused on the inclusion of Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD) in the DSM-5-TR, led by Paul Appelbaum, Chair of the DSM Steering Committee for the APA. The session outlined the intricate process of adding new diagnoses to the DSM, underscoring the transition from large-scale revisions every decade to more iterative updates leveraging online capabilities. This allows for more timely integration of research advances.<br /><br />PGD was added after a thorough and collaborative process involving clinical experts, researchers, and various review committees. Key to this addition were empirical data supporting the validity, reliability, and clinical value of PGD, as well as its diagnostic distinction from existing conditions such as major depressive disorder and PTSD. The process involved securing consensus through a workshop with researchers like Kathy Shear and Holly Prigerson, whose data and clinical perspectives were instrumental in formulating the diagnostic criteria.<br /><br />The panelists highlighted systemic issues such as the need for empirical rigor in defining mental disorders and the balancing act between medicalizing grief and identifying truly pathological cases that warrant clinical intervention. Despite some initial resistance from broader bereavement support communities, the diagnosis of PGD signifies a critical recognition of maladaptive grief patterns and their profound clinical implications. This process serves as both a model and a learning experience for future diagnostic inclusions in psychiatric nomenclature.

Keywords

Prolonged Grief Disorder

DSM-5-TR

Paul Appelbaum

DSM Steering Committee

APA

diagnostic inclusion

clinical experts

empirical data

major depressive disorder

PTSD

Kathy Shear

Holly Prigerson

maladaptive grief