Well, not exactly. The DSMs mention that the etiology or pathophysiologic
processes for some mental disorders are known, but not for others. However,
I would not consult the DSM to learn about these issues, since it is not
intended for that purpose. It takes a descriptive approach, providing
standard criteria for diagnosis. Diagnostic criteria need not include
etiological information. The purpose is to provide a common language for
clinicians, not to provide in one volume the entirety of knowledge
regarding all recognized mental disorders. It seems to be a bit of a leap
to conclude that since you can't find the cause of a disorder in the DSM IV,
there is no physiological basis to it.
Why the need to pin down a physiological cause in order to consider a
condition an illness anyway? Was AIDS an illness before its cause was
determined?
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