A few interesting articles on this topic:

Beginning of the end of DSM?

Psychiatry’s Guide is Out of Touch with Science, Experts Say

Why the Newest Psychiatric Diagnostic Bible Will Be a boon for Big Pharm

Critical Therapy Center has voiced its reservations towards DSM-5 in the past, by supporting organizations such as (to name but a few): the Society for Humanistic Psychology, Division 32 of the American Psychological Association, Psychologists for Social Responsibility and the American Psychoanalytic Association  in an open letter to the DSM-5 Task Force and the American Psychiatric Association, expressing our concerns and reservations.

The Critical Therapy Center supports SB 131.  This proposed bill eliminates the statute of limitations for victims of childhood sexual abuse whose civil claims were not barred by the statute of limitations prior to January 1, 2014. Additionally, for actions barred by the statute of limitations prior to January 1, 2014, the bill would amend the limitations period to allow claims to be commenced within the later of the following two time frames: 1) 30 years from the date the plaintiff attains the age of majority, or 2) 5 years from when a practicing physician, psychologist, or clinical psychologist first communicates to the plaintiff the causal connection between their adult psychological injuries, and their childhood sexual abuse.

Well documented medical literature, which has developed since the time the statute of limitations for civil claims was last extended, demonstrates that psychological injuries stemming from sex abuse emerge later in life, well past the age of 26. Therefore, there is a real medical need to have the statute extended. There must be a longer time period for these psychological effects to be realized, so survivors are afforded their chance at justice.

The events in Boston this week offer us an opportunity to understand how our nation has not learned to deal with trauma.  How we refuse to look at ourselves as both victims and as aggressors.  How the plot is much more complicated than a simple “us vs. them” narrative and how the political is always personal. And how we seem to be much more comfortable talking about our need to be protected from pain, and refuse to acknowledge the 45 inmates on hunger strike in Guantanamo who are, right now, being force-fed through their noses. Why should we require ourselves to think of them, or of all the people who have been killed in the name of “freedom”?  Because violence doesn’t travel in only one direction, it’s cyclical.

Wrapped in discourses of increase militarism, aggression and power, the United States is afraid to look at how the horrific actions of these two young men, not only says something about them, but also and more importantly, tells us something about ourselves, as we refuse to analyze our own culture of violence.  We refuse to admit our pain.  Instead of healing, we focus on attacking.  We ask for more guns, instead of more childhood education, more police and more drones and less compassion.  As a nation we continue to give 47-cents of every dollar we make in federal income taxes to pay for current and past wars (War Resistance League). At the same time, education, healthcare and services to the nearly 100 million people living in poverty in this country, get only pennies on every dollar.

Whatever we will come to know about these two young men and the history that led them towards such violent acts, whether it turns out to be a narrative similar more to Columbine than al Queda, we need to be mindful that they are a product of our times. We live in a war culture that promotes violence and competition.  Whether in leader led relationships, or military style education and work spaces, our ideology reflects a discourse of aggression. Whether we publicly talk about hunting terrorists, or claim that we strongly believe in competition at work or in schools, we promote discourses of domination and subjugation.

After Tsarnaev arrest, some suggested he should be treated as an enemy combatant for the purpose of interrogation.  Yet, I would like to urge all of us to remember that how we respond to him is a reflection of the type of society and world we have become.  So let us ask ourselves: are we compassionate?  Or, are we so afraid to show our humanity that we’ve become like our worse aggressors.

Esther Perel’s TED Talk

“Gender justice at the top is not enough. Mainstream debates on gender must also grapple with how to address increased insecurity at the bottom end of the labor market — including the challenge faced by poorly protected, self-employed women,” states the report, “Great Expectations: Exploring the Promises of Gender Equality,” as it wrestles with the question of whether the triumphs of British feminism (such as they are) have been equally shared by women of all classes.

Read the article

EmpowHER (October 1, 2012) - Naming the shame that can cripple; (also published by Huffington Post - October 10, 2012).

Natural Choice Directory (September 26, 2012) – Schoolyard Bullying: Open the Blind Eye.

EmpowHER (September 4, 2012) – Common Rape Myths Debunked; (also published by Yahoo! Health – September 10, 2012).

EmpowHER (August 30, 2012) – The Mental Health Consequences of Rape; (also published by Yahoo! Health - September 6, 2012).

GalTime (August 8, 2012) – 7 Signs You Might Need Marriage Counseling; (also published by Huffington Post – August 27, 2012 and by Atlanta Black Star – August 27, 2012).

The Hali Casser-Jayne Show (July 25, 2012): Bisexuality, the Worst Kept Secret!

allParenting (March 22, 2013) – My husband cheated on me and I lived to tell about it.

The Glass Hammer (February 21, 2013) – Developing Multicultural Competence.

EmpowHER (February 14, 2013) – Ending the Struggle with Teen Dating Violence; (also published by Yahoo! Health – February 26, 2013).

Natural Choice Directory (February 19, 2013) – Knowing Your Authentic Self Leads to Richer Relationships.

SheKnows (December 31, 2012) – Alpha mom, alpha daughter: confident in 2013.

The Guardian Express (December 20, 2012) – Is Mental Health Care to Blame for the School Shootings?

Loop21 (December 5, 2012) – Do All Women Really “Want to be Objectified”?

SheKnows (November 27, 2012) – Split During the Season.

Relationship Reality Radio (November 18, 2012) – Should You Date Your Ex?

International Business Times (November 14, 2012) – Sexist Portrayals of Women Still Dominate Prime Time TV: Study.

More

Dutchevici, S. (2012).The Invisible War: Rape Epidemic in the U.S. Military.  GoodTherapy.org Blog.

Roldan, M. (2012).  Family Safety Current Trends – Domestic Violence and Latinas.  Helpstartshere.org.

Dutchevici. S. (2012). Marilyn Monroe: Sexual Symbol or Sexual Victim? GoodTherapy.org Blog. 

Dutchevici, S. (2012). Eliminating the Stigma of Childhood Sexual Abuse. GoodTherapy.org Blog.