Anne Ross Library Blog

Friday, August 31, 2012

Alcoholism: Is it a Disease?

Dr Mary Jo Cannon, a professor at the University of Medicine & Health Sciences / International University of Nursing, had an interesting article published last week in the "Health" section of our local SKN Vibes (St. Kitts news) which examines the question "Is Alcoholism a disease?"
Have you every considered the people you know in your life who always seem to be 'under the influence' as actually 'patients' who are suffering from a terrible disease?

Dr. Cannon states,"Alcoholism meets the standard definition of a disease better than multiple sclerosis or schizophrenia, two diseases for which the pathophysiology is far less clearly understood.Yet people with these diseases are recognized as qualifying to be ‘patients."

I challenge you to read this article and think about this issue as it does effect you, and those around you, in many more ways than you may realize. As for our nursing and medicine students, being vigilant and cognizant with regards to alcoholism and other possible addictions when serving your patients, will result in a more satisfatory health outcome. Three simple screening tests to help you identify patients with an alcohol problem are available on the NIAAA website (The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism).

Labels: addictions medicine, alcohol consumption, alcoholism, Dr. Mary Jo Cannon, IUON, mental disorders, mental health, NIAAA, UMHS-SK

Thursday, June 02, 2011

The Development of DSM-5 Continues

DSM-5: The Future of Psychiatric Diagnosis

"Publication of the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) in May 2013 [by the American Psychiatric Association (APA)] will mark one the most anticipated events in the mental health field. As part of the development process, the preliminary draft revisions to the current diagnostic criteria for psychiatric diagnoses are now available for public review ."

Follow the developments and participate by submitting your feedback.

"At this time, we are asking visitors to review and comment on the proposed DSM-5 organizational structure and criteria changes. Please note that the current commenting period will end on June 15, 2011."

Click on the post title to access the APA website and read about all the proposed changes.
To peruse the list of disorder-specific changes go to :
Recent Updates to Proposed Revisions for DSM-5.

Labels: American Psychiatric Association, APA, DSM-5, mental disorders, mental health, psychiatric diagnosis

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