Questions about Psychiatry

Short answers, pulled from the story.

Who coined the word psychiatry and when was it first used?

The German physician Johann Christian Reil coined the word psychiatry in 1808. The term literally means the medical treatment of the soul and is derived from the ancient Greek word psyche.

When did Philippe Pinel begin his reforms at Bicêtre Hospital?

French doctor Philippe Pinel became the chief physician at the Bicêtre Hospital in 1792. He initiated a radical shift in thinking by ordering the removal of chains from patients and replacing dark dungeons with sunny, well-ventilated rooms.

What year was the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders published?

The fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders was published in May 2013. This publication coincided with a statement by then-NIMH director Thomas Insel noting that the manual lacks validity compared to other medical specialties due to the absence of objective laboratory measures.

Who coined the term anti-psychiatry and when did this occur?

Psychiatrist David Cooper coined the term anti-psychiatry in 1967. The movement was later made popular by Thomas Szasz, who characterized the field as a pseudoscience or a form of social control masquerading as medicine.

When did US president John F. Kennedy introduce legislation for Community Mental Health Centers?

US president John F. Kennedy introduced legislation delegating the National Institute of Mental Health to administer Community Mental Health Centers in 1963. The intention was to provide care for the chronically mentally ill, but the focus of the centers shifted to providing psychotherapy for those with acute but less serious mental disorders.

What percentage sensitivity and specificity did the American Psychological Association require for biomarkers in 2018?

The American Psychological Association stated that biomarkers used in diagnosis should have a sensitivity of at least 80% for detecting a particular psychiatric disorder and a specificity of at least 80% for distinguishing this disorder from other psychiatric or medical disorders. The 2018 review concluded that very large studies are needed to evaluate specific biomarkers which were not available.