Important and common relational conditions, such as severe couple
dysfunction and family violence involving child or elder abuse, have been
omitted from DSM-IV, the authors believe. They argue that such conditions
can exist independently of severe individual psychopathology and that these
conditions should be described in relational terms, with specific
diagnostic criteria. They outline a classification of relational disorders
and propose its addition to axis I of DSM-IV. This classification scheme
focuses on severe family dysfunction; problems of living usually treated by
couple and family therapists are intentionally omitted. Descriptions of two
relational disorders, written in DSM style, are provided. The authors
discuss implications for the treatment and rehabilitation of patients, the
future training of psychiatrists, and the direction of research.
Abstract Teaser