Phobias In DSM Are Psuedoscience

Pro's claims that the term mental disorder implies cause and effect is false. DSM-IV defines 'mental disorder' based on the following criteria: A) a clinically significant behavioral or psychological syndrome or pattern that occurs in an individual B) is associated with present distress (e.g., a painful symptom) or disability (i.e., impairment in one or more important areas of functioning) or with a significantly increased risk of suffering death, pain, disability, or an important loss of freedom C) must not be merely an expectable and culturally sanctioned response to a particular event, for example, the death of a loved one D) a manifestation of a behavioral, psychological, or biological dysfunction in the individual E) neither deviant behavior (e.g., political, religious, or sexual) nor conflicts that are primarily between the individual and society are mental disorders unless the deviance or conflict is a symptom of a dysfunction in the individual. The APA and DSM committee does not concern itself with causes because the very cause of many mental disorders is unknown. The main function of psychiatry and psychology is the assist people with pervasive problems in thinking and behavior lead functional lives. Pro further claims that "Irrational fear causes poor behavior. Rational fear does not cause poor behavior" However, there is a need to be precise here. Not all irrational fear causes poor behavior and it is possible that people can make poor choices and behaviors under the stresses of rational fear. Pro states "Irrational fear requires a situation where a person is not in significant danger. Science can prove fear exists in this person. Science can prove the situation has no danger. Science cannot prove the objective situation caused the subjective state(irrational fear)." Pro ignores the fact that science can prove a physical fear response in a person with an irrational fear as well as a rational fear. We can study scientifically the body's biological responses to fear situations. We can also observe similarities in behaviors of those who have fear, rational or irrational. We can know that a person with a irrational fear of heights will have the same biological flight or fight response as someone who is in real danger say from a animal attack. Pro claims an irrational fear of heights cannot be proven. I would ask how do we make this determination that it cannot be proven? The idea is that the person has a fear that manifests in a way that affects their functioning. DSM V gives us clear criteria upon which we can measure specific phobias. "Fear or anxiety about a specific object or situation (In children fear/anxiety can be expressed by crying, tantrums, freezing, or clinging) The phobic object or situation almost always provokes immediate fear or anxiety The phobic object or situation is actively avoided or endured with intense fear or anxiety The fear or anxiety is out of proportion to the actual danger posed by the specific object or situation and to the sociocultural context The fear, anxiety, or avoidance is persistent, typically lasting for 6 months or more The fear, anxiety, or avoidance causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning The disturbance is not better explained by symptoms of another mental disorder, including fear, anxiety, and avoidance of situations associated with panic-like symptoms or other incapacitating symptoms; objects or situations related to obsessions; reminders of traumatic events; separation from home or attachment figures; or social situations" (DSM V 300.29) All of the above criteria can be measured. It should be noted that it states ."...The fear or anxiety is out of proportion to the actual danger posed by the specific object" In other words the absence of all danger is not a requirement. Pro admits that we can prove that people who have irrational thinking have irrational fears or anxiety disorders and other mental disorders. That is precisely the point of mental health diagnosis, treatment, and research. Thus it would seem that Pro has conceded that the original proposition that phobias as DSM listed mental disorders are pseudo-science. Pro did not initially clarify the statement about that which causes the disorder, is the disorder. That point is still unclear but since pro has conceded the topic seemingly it is of little importance. Pro's final point emphasizes the reasoning that DSM V takes all specific phobias and makes them part of one diagnostic code. It is possible that some patient may at some point have a irrational fear of low elevation. In fact, can Pro know all the cases of specific fears that anyone has ever been treated for? I would think not. The tying of Pavlov and behavioral research to this topic does not have any relevance. It sounds as if Pro is attempting to put forth ideas that behavioral conditioning can be responsible for irrational fears and specific phobias. Since that hypothesis can be studied scientifically it does nothing to further Pro's claim of pseudo-science.