New BBC Program: Rewriting the Psychiatrist's Bible

Several months ago, a BBC producer contacted me to ask if I'd like to be interviewed for a planned radio program examining the DSM and related topics, such as the relationship between the drug industry and the American Psychiatric Association. Being the shameless self-promoter that I am, I assented, and that program is now available on the BBC website.

Aside from listening to me ramble on about things that you've read about in this blog, you'll hear some very thought-provoking interviews of Michael First, the editor of DSM-IV, Lisa Cosgrove, the U Mass professor who published this influential article about the industry ties of members of DSM committees, Peter Tyrer, a professor at Imperial College in London who talks about the validity problems in DSM disorders, David Kupfer, chair of the DSM-V committee who makes a brief appearance, and others.

To listen to the program, click here.

Here is the BBC's description of the program:

Rewriting the Psychiatrist's Bible

Matthew Hill investigates the links between psychiatrists and the pharmaceutical industry. Should there be increased transparency over top psychiatrists' links to the industry? He looks at the influence of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders (DSM), produced by the American Psychiatric Association (APA), which has been heavily criticised in the past for a lack of transparency between the panel members and pharmaceutical companies. Matthew also examines the 'Chinese menu' aspect of the DSM's diagnostic criteria and the sheer number of conditions it includes. Matthew investigates whether the APA's transparency policy goes far enough and if we are medicalising real conditions or just traits of human personality.

Broadcast on:
BBC Radio 4, 8:00pm Tuesday 4th August 2009
Duration:
40 minutes
Available until:
8:42pm Tuesday 11th August 2009