The most contentious changes in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders include:
- Diagnosing as major depression the extreme sadness, weight loss, fatigue and trouble sleeping some people experience after a loved one's death.
- Diagnosing mental decline that goes a bit beyond normal ageing as "mild neurocognitive disorder." Affected people may find it takes more effort to pay bills or manage their medications. Critics of the term say it will stigmatise so-called "senior moments."
- Calling excessive thoughts or feelings about pain or other discomfort "somatic symptom disorder," something that could affect the healthy as well as cancer patients. Critics say the term turns normal reactions to a disease into mental illness.
