International Perspectives on DSM-III

The core of this volume is a series of chapters, by invited contributors, describing regional and national psychiatric reactions to the third edition of the American Psychiatric Association'sDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III). The responses make it clear that this system of psychiatric classification, sponsored by the American Psychiatric Association and used by American psychiatrists since 1980, has had an unexpectedly profound effect on psychiatrists throughout the world. This is one American export that clearly is not in the "ugly American" category! The chapter authors are well-known psychiatrists from all over the world, including not only countries in western Europe but also from Asia and the Third World. The critiques that they have produced are generally thoughtful and interesting. The overall tone is positive, although, as is to be expected, there is a considerable variation in degrees of approval. Possibly the most favorable assessment emanates from the