One of the big changes from DSM-IV to DSM-5, in regards to Long Term Disability Benefits, is that a number of somatoform disorders from the older Diagnostic and Statistical Manual have been given new titles and descriptions in the current manual. There are several reasons that this was done.
First and foremost, there was a desire to make the disorders reflect the reality of what practitioners were witnessing in actual patients. In some cases, this meant redefining disorders to group what had previously been several individual disorders together because they almost always presented concurrently and were in actuality believed to be symptoms of the same issue. Second, experts hoped to make the manual itself easier to understand and better explain individual disorders with names and definitions that would be more accessible. And finally, they hoped to remove some of the pejorative stigma attached to certain conditions.
Changes to Specific Disorders from DSM-IV to DSM-5
New Disorder: Somatic Symptom Disorder
Encompasses: Somatization Disorder, Undifferentiated Somatoform Disorder, Pain Disorder
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Reason: The symptoms of these various disorders were so intertwined that experts believe they are really all part of one single disorder and wanted to group them together. Pain disorder in the DSM-5 can also be attributed to two other conditions – Adjustment Disorder or Psychological Factors Affecting Other Medical Conditions.
New Disorder: Factitious Disorder (can be imposed on others or on yourself)
Encompasses: Factitious Disorder
Reason: Changes were made to the definition to clarify that this disorder is something that can be self-imposed or imposed by a third party, as well as the fact that it is typically found in medical settings.
New Disorder: Illness Anxiety Disorder
Encompasses: Hypochondriasis
Reason: Clarity was added to the definition and the name was changed due to negative associations with the old disorder: hypochondriasis.
New Disorder: Conversion Disorder (functional neurological symptom disorder)
Encompasses: Conversion Disorder
Reason: Updates to the definition to say that neurological exams should be emphasized and explain that related psychological factors might not be demonstrable at diagnosis.
New Disorder: Other Specific Somatic Symptom & Related Disorder
Encompasses: Somatoform Disorder NOS
Reason: This has been changed and updated to reflect the fact that these are somatic symptoms that haven’t been or aren’t able to be classified as a specific disorder at this time.
If you’re filing a claim for a long term disability benefits claim due to mental illness, the best way to make sure your claim follows all of the most up-to-date changes is to work with an experienced long term disability attorney. You can also gain a wealth of valuable knowledge from our free eBook on disability insurance.
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