IN THE FINAL ANALYSIS, ITS THE DATA THAT COUNT

Contrary to Bergner, consensus exists on a definition of psychopatholo gy. It is embodied in DSM-IV, used in this country by more than 500,00 0 mental health professionals. It is also inaccurate to Imply that DSM -III's definition of mental disorder (reproduced in DSM-III-R and DSM- IV) was not extensively debated and ultimately refined by many of DSM- lll's drafters. Finally, it is risky to claim that the DSM has not bee n successful, in view both of its widespread acceptance and the extens ive empirical data which now support its enhanced reliability and grow ing utility. At the same time, as a diagnostic researcher well aware o f the DSM's shortcomings, I endorse Bergner's aspiration for a non-syn drome-based nomenclature. Perhaps a classification system based on fun ctional impairment will yield greater utility and validity. But, in th e final analysis, since it's the data that count, it's clearly up to B ergner to provide them.