I doubt you’re even going to fully read this but I’m sending it nonetheless. i think being that you aren’t a professional (your words) you can’t discredit actual certified research guides in favor of stating your own opinions online as fact, especially when most of the people who engage with your account are minors who seem to accept everything you say at face value. yes, the DSM-5 is flawed, as is most research regarding mental health, because the human mind is a very complex thing that is difficult to understand. this is why the DSM is regularly updated as PROFESSIONALS learn more. the DSM-5 isn’t even meant to be a rule book on how every mental condition MUST be, it’s simply a guide.
No, I read this twice actually! I think this is a very interesting ask on several levels, tbh.
First, because you seem to be assuming that the DSM-5 is the only source of research on psychology/psychiatry, which it is not. Many other groups and people study psychology/psychiatry and publish their findings, which I referenced many times in reference to my statements on things like porn addiction.
The DSM-5 is very selectively updated depending on very bigoted standards. Whether its a guide or not doesn't mean that information inherently goes above any other studies on mental health or that I should claim its inherently correct, especially taking into account how those studies are done, what they're based on and the politics surrounding them.
I also think that the comment on minors accepting everything at face-value is uncalled for. I do have a lot of kids following me (I don't think its the majority, though) but that doesn't mean I should pretend things like the DSM-5 or health studies in general can't have explicit bias involved or be unreliable sources of information.
If you want to protect/help kids, recommending I censor information is definitely not the way.
I am quite literally saying do not take things at face value without considering the politics and possible bigotry involved and I've gotten plenty of questions on it, which is a great sign those kids you're talking about are not just taking me at face value and actually interested in learning more!
Like, have a little faith. I appreciate the concern (and the reminder I'm not a professional lol) but I think its definitely okay (not to mention relevant) to discuss these things. (Though I can definitely be sure to add more sources when I do, if that's what you're worried about.)
