Feeling ill at ease with a new disease: Labeling suicide-related behaviors as DSM-5 diagnosis

Several prominent suicide investigative teams have independently advocated for a medical diagnosis of suicide-related behaviors. All have conducted studies that indicate their diagnoses meet criteria for diagnostic validity and stability, are well-described, and can be clearly distinguished from other diagnoses. This editorial discusses potential problems with a DSM-5 suicide-specific diagnosis. The authors conclude that all these e proposed diagnostic criteria that focus on signs and symptoms of acute distress serve a purpose in characterizing the elements of what defines near-term suicide risk. But we have a great deal yet to learn about near-term risk for suicide, no less the trajectories and pathways of the suicidal process. Until such time as we can do a much better job of characterizing this process, its components, how these components develop and express themselves at the individual level, and how to assist patients to navigate an acute suicidal state, we see little value in labeling these thoughts and behaviors as diseases, disorders, disturbances, or syndromes.