Well – it’s almost official. It appears that Parental Alienation Syndrome (PAS) will not be included in the revised version of the DSM which is due to be published in 2013.
The rationale behind the exclusion seems to be that that PAS is a relationship problem rather than a mental health disorder.
Parental Alienation Not A Mental Disorder, American Psychiatric Association Says
Well – ask those of us in the Family Court or Juvenile Court. When we see PAS the offending parent almost always has an underlying mental health issue(s). So while PAS itself might not neatly be defined as a mental health disorder the cause often stems from untreated psychiatric illness.
Anyway – whether PAS is included in the DSM V or not the “symptoms” of PAS will still be extremely important in a Connecticut custody or visitation case. The best interest statute which governs custody and visitation in Connecticut does not mention the term PAS but certainly speaks of the “symptoms.” For example, the willingness and ability of a parent to facilitate and encourage a continuing parent-child relationship as well as any manipulative or coercive behavior by a parent are both listed as factors in the best interest statute.
While not called PAS, these examples in our best interest statute certainly smell of PAS.
So call it a mental health disorder. Or don’t. But, if a parent alienates you can expect the parenting plan to reflect the reality of their behavior.