Philosophy, Psychiatry, & Psychology

Abstract:

This article examines two significant shifts that have been taking place within the field of psychiatry, and asks whether they are moving in compatible directions or not. The first shift is taking place within psychiatric research as a result of the National Institute of Mental Health's rejection of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders criteria in favor of the newly developed Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) framework. The second shift involves the adoption of wider outcome measures related to recovery and quality of life (QOL) within schizophrenia research in place of narrow measures such as symptom scales. It is argued that this second shift has been successful in that it has brought several explanatory models into light that were previously difficult to see and that are likely to bear fruit in terms of both understanding schizophrenia and developing tools and treatments for those living with a diagnosis of schizophrenia. In light of this, the question of whether the shift to RDoC will threaten these gains is considered. In response, it is suggested that although there are several reasons to think that the first shift may threaten the knowledge gained by the second shift, there is also reason to be hopeful.