Sorry should have updated this a while back but had the whole COVID scare & lost track of a few things understandably.
Anyway, we did reach 300 signatures from survivors and a few professionals from 15 different countries so the need is definitely out there. I sent the petition off to the APA DSM section and got what appears to be an auto-response:
Hello,
The APA invites proposals for changes to DSM-5. Changes will be made on a rolling basis, as warranted by advances in the science of mental disorders. Advances in digital publishing have paved the way to the adoption of this “continuous improvement” model. This approach differs from the previous mechanism for making changes to the DSM, which was to revise the manual in its entirety at variable intervals. Although this older approach had the advantage of facilitating standardized communication among users of the classifications, it prevented the incorporation of new scientific knowledge into the manual as it emerged.
Anyone can initiate the process for consideration of a proposal for changes to the DSM via this website. Most proposals will require the submission of supportive information in a structured format (including the reasons for the change, and data documenting improvements in validity, evidence of reliability and clinical utility, and consideration of potential deleterious consequences. Proposals involving only minor corrections or clarifications of the diagnostic criteria or text will not require supporting data.
Thank you,
DSM-5I have emailed twice since receiving this to see if I could connect with an actual human but no responses so time to move onto Plan B which is to find clinician(s)/researcher(s) who would be wiling to write up the proposal and submit it. I'm going to be contacting some well-know members of the trauma societies I belong to (ISTSS and ISSTD) to see if they can help themselves or point me to some folks who might be willing to undertake this.
Will post if/when I have something to pass along