[thomasfedb]

The DSM is a book full of things that (a particular group of) academic doctors think should be considered to be illnesses. It's previously included homosexuality and "gender identity disorder" (transgenderism).

It's a not a bad source, obviously, but being in a book does not make things diseases or not.

That said, in my (medical) opinion, alcoholism and other addictions are much better to be considered (and treated) as diseases.

[h3cate]

You minimise it as "being in a book". The book is: "a publication by the American Psychiatric Association for the classification of mental disorders". Are you part of the psychiatric field?

[thomasfedb]

What I was trying to point out is that the relationship should be:

"is a mental health condition" infers "is in the DSM"

Raster than:

"is in the DSM" infers "is a mental health condition"

That said, the DSM is a good reference for finding out what the APA consider to be a legitimate condition.

I'm not a psychiatrist. But I do diagnose and treat mental health conditions most days at work.

[bryanrasmussen]

well thanks, you probably didn't see that what I posted was in response to the question "Are there people telling you that you’re incorrect or even mentally ill because you identify as a recovering alcoholic?"