The new editions of my two abnormal psychology textbooks—Fundamentals of ...
Edition and Abnormal Psychology, Eighth Edition: DSM-5 Update—will be ...
From the desk of
R onald J. C omer
Dear Colleagues, The new editions of my two abnormal psychology textbooks—Fundamentals of Abnormal Psychology, Seventh Edition and Abnormal Psychology, Eighth Edition: DSM-5 Update—will be coming your way this March. Of course, a new edition of a textbook means significant updates, including new topics and research; improved pedagogical tools; a sparkling array of new figures and photos; and exciting new video supplements. And my new editions certainly try to provide all that. But these particular editions also target—in a comprehensive way—three recent phenomena that truly have rocked our field and our world: 1) the introduction of DSM-5; 2) the spread of mass killings and other forms of violence, and 3) the psychological impact of society’s ever-changing technology. If you’ll indulge me, I’d like to offer a preview of the special coverage that these important phenomena receive throughout my new editions.
DSM-5 As we all know, after more than a decade of work, speculation, drafts, and controversy, DSM-5 is now completed and will be available for use in May. This past December, the American Psychiatric Association approved the final version and publicly announced which of the categories and criteria from its previous drafts had been retained, changed, or eliminated. The categories and criteria of the new DSM-5 are presented, integrated, and critiqued throughout the new editions of my textbooks. DSM-5 contains at least six kinds of changes, all of which are included in the textbooks: • Name changes: DSM-5 has changed the names of many disorders in order to overcome disparaging or misleading connotations. For example, intellectual developmental disorder and neurocognitive disorder have replaced, respectively, the terms mental retardation and dementia. • New categories: Many new categories—some quite controversial—have been added to DSM-5, including hoarding disorder, binge eating disorder, excoriation (skin-picking) disorder, minor neurocognitive disorder, and disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (Note: I’ve enclosed a sample of the coverage of this new category.) • New criteria: The criteria for many disorders have been changed in DSM-5, and some of the changes have also produced controversy in the field. Certain recently bereaved people, for example, may now qualify for a diagnosis of major depressive disorder. Such individuals were excluded from this diagnosis in the past. • Consolidation of categories: DSM-5 has merged certain past categories. The previous categories of substance abuse and substance dependence have been combined into substance use disorder. Similarly, autistic disorder, Asperger’s disorder, and childhood disintegrative disorder have merged into the single category of autism spectrum disorder. • Expansion of boundaries: DSM-5 has expanded the boundaries of certain categories. Gambling disorder, which used to be considered an impulse problem, is now viewed as a “behavioral addiction,” much like excessive substance use is considered an addiction. And a diagnosis of somatic symptom disorder, a variant of past somatoform disorders, may now also be assigned to people with significant medical problems if the individuals are judged to be psychologically overreacting to their physical problems. • Future categories: DSM-5 has designated certain categories for further study for possible inclusion in upcoming revisions of DSM-5, including personality disorder trait specified, attenuated psychosis syndrome, Internet use gaming disorder, non-suicidal self injury, and suicidal behavioral disorder. DSM-5’s various changes are woven into the narrative of the chapters throughout my textbooks. (I’ve enclosed a What’s New in DSM-5 summary that shows how DSM-5 changes are integrated into the new edition of Fundamentals of Abnormal Psychology). They are also presented in recurrent earmarks, located in the books’ margins, called DSM-5 Checklist and DSM-5 Controversy. In addition, periodic PsychWatch boxes highlight special DSM-5 issues, such as Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder: Déjà Vu All Over Again and What Happened to Asperger’s Disorder?
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From the desk of R onald J. C omer Mass Killings A cluster of mass killings in the final months of 2012, including the mass murders of 12 movie goers at a Batman movie in Colorado and 20 young children at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut, put an unthinkable exclamation point on an ever-growing phenomenon. Mass killings have, sadly, been around for centuries, but many of today’s murder rampages take on a unique character. They are committed by individuals who carefully plan their attacks well in advance, come armed with an arsenal of weapons, often dress in combat garb, have no escape plan, and, in many cases, expect to die. Regardless of one’s position on gun control or media violence, almost everyone—both inside and outside of the clinical field—believes that these mass killers and other perpetrators of unspeakable violence suffer from some form of mental dysfunction. Clearly, the time has come for this very troubling topic to receive significant coverage in abnormal psychology textbooks.
The Impact of Technology The breathtaking rate of technological change that characterizes today’s world has had significant effects—both positive and negative—on the mental health field. In my new editions I cover this impact extensively, including numerous discussions in the book’s narrative, boxes, photographs, and figures. The books examine, for example, how the Internet, texting, and social networks have become convenient tools for those who wish to bully others or pursue pedophilic desires, how social networking sites often provide a new source for social anxiety, and how today’s technology has helped create new psychological disorders such as Internet use addiction. The new editions also look at dangerous new trends such as the posting of self-cutting videos on the Internet, live Web suicides, and pro-anorexia and pro-suicide Web sites. And they bring to life the continuing growth of cybertherapy, including long-distance therapy using Skype, therapy enhanced by video game avatars, and Internet-based support groups. Whenever I write a new textbook edition, my goal is to offer a fresh, comprehensive, and exciting presentation of our ever-changing field. I am confident that my upcoming editions have successfully met this challenge, and I am particularly excited by their inclusion of the three important areas described in this letter. Between those key additions and many others also featured throughout the textbooks, I believe that the new editions capture today’s clinical field in a truly captivating, informative, and sweeping way.
Sincerely,
Ron Comer Princeton University
P.S. If you would like to request a review copy of either Fundamentals of Abnormal Psychology, Seventh Edition or Abnormal Psychology, Eighth Edition: DSM-5 Update, contact your local representative from Worth Publishers. There is also a toll-free number you can call: 800-446-8923. Or you can make your request at the Worth web site, www.worthpublishers.com.
