Last summer, I teamed up with Laurie Helgoe, Ph.D., clinical psychologist and author of Introvert Power, to write "A Giant Step Backward for Introverts," about the proposed inclusion of in the American Association’s forthcoming (DSM-5). The controversial inclusion of introversion in the DSM-5 would designate introversion as a contributing factor in diagnosing certain .



Since we wrote that story, there’s been near-silence on the airwaves about news on this topic. Yet, in the latest iteration of the proposal to update the DSM-5, introversion has been quietly removed. Helgoe is back to chat about this.



NA: What are your thoughts about the absence of introversion from the DSM-5?



LH: First, I'm thrilled that it was removed. I'd like to throw—well, not a party—but some virtual confetti anyway. The inclusion of introversion in the DSM was a huge concern, and the APA could have relieved a lot of and (which is what they're about, isn't it?) by letting interested parties know that the term would not, in fact, be used as an indicator of psychopathology. I think they lost the opportunity to educate, to restore the term "introversion" to its place as a descriptor of normal .



Over the past year, our readers vociferously objected to the inclusion of introversion in the DSM. Anonymous wrote: "The only time I feel my introversion is a problem is when I read stuff like this...." Beth Buelow, The Introvert Entrepreneur, added: "The word 'introvert' should not appear anywhere near descriptions of disorders or diseases." A reader named Michelle observed that no one says anything like: "Oh, it must be so hard being so ." Artie shared: "I never hear introverts accusing extroverts of being ‘too social' or ‘too outgoing.'" Another anonymous reader: "Is anyone ‘normal?" Capt DJ got a little snarky: "If Introversion is a disease, then can I please get a disability so I don't have to work with extroverts all the time???" Fey chimed in: I'm galled that the APA feels the need to pathologize behavior that is merely somewhere else on the scale of normal variation...." Anonymous added: "The more cynical might suggest the APA are slaves to the drug companies. We have to have new disorders so that new drugs can be prescribed and the market for pharmaceuticals thus expanded."

Clearly, our story hit a nerve with our readers. What do you think was at the heart of that?



LH: What I pick up on is a collective fatigue on the part of introverts. We’re tired of defending what comes naturally, what works for us and helps us be at our best. It’s ironic that psychiatry – the very profession that produced and liberated so many by enriching our understanding of personality – also has the power to reduce and pathologize those at one end of the personality spectrum. That is a sobering power, and one that needs many checks.



The monetary motive some readers referred to is complex. Mental health professionals provide a valuable service, and the discovery of medications for the treatment of mental health disorders has been a huge advance in the humane care of the suffering, allowing people who were warehoused in hospitals to live normal lives.



And the people who provide care deserve compensation. As a practitioner myself, I know those magic words that may determine whether I get paid: “medical necessity.” If I have a diagnosis, I can show that my client’s care is medically necessary, and the insurance company will pay me to help that person.







Copyright © 2012 Nancy Ancowitz