The Validity of Psychiatric Diagnosis: What’s in a Name?

This presentation by Dr. Descartes Li looks at some of the complexities and controversies about psychiatric diagnoses. It examines the DSM-5's "Harmful Dysfunction" definition, contrasting it with the NIMH's Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) project. The lecture also discusses philosophical approaches to understanding mental illness, including reductionism, cultural relativism, emergentism, and mechanistic approaches to psychiatric diagnosis. Finally, it outlines four perspectives for viewing mental disorders: disease, dimensional, behavioral, and life story, advocating for a comprehensive approach to diagnosis.

About the Speaker

Dr. Descartes Li is professor of psychiatry at the University of California, San Francisco, Weill Institute for Neurosciences. He currently serves as director of the UCSF Bipolar Clinic and the UCSF Electroconvulsive Therapy Service for the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. He is a dedicated teacher in the School of Medicine and internationally. He is a member of the UCSF Academy of Medical Educators.

SPEAKERS

Descartes Li, M.D., Professor of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, Weill Institute for Neurosciences

Patrick O'Reilly, Ph.D., Chair, Psychology Member-led Forum, Commonwealth Club World Affairs—Moderator

5 p.m. doors open & check-in
5:30–6:30 p.m program
(all times Pacific Time)

Host or Publisher The Commonwealth Club