Well, I accept that distinction. I suppose that I am talking about the non-clinical "social" diagnosis that seems to underlie much of the fat acceptance movement, not the clinical diagnosis. That said, clinical psychology has a penchant for allowing social movements to determine diagnostic trends. Witness the redefinition of autism and the explosion of clinical diagnosis of ADD in otherwise active boys. I suspect that clinical psychology to "catch up" to the social diagnosis soon.
Well, let me correct you on your above statement. The DSM task force is actually headed by the American Psychiatric Association, NOT the American Psychological Association (Clinical/Counseling Psychologists). Each disorder has a taskforce, and psychologists are part of the task force (some more than others). However, the DSM is published and headed by the American Psychiatric Association (Psychiatrists). The DSM V sucks, and many clinical/counseling psychologists have taken a stand against it. Many new diagnoses are often "made up," so psychiatrists can push their medication. Obviously, you do not know, but there are is a huge force of psychologists that are pushing back against psychiatry. So, blame psychiatry, not clinical psychology for the social trends of diagnoses. We are required by the insurance companies and the law to follow the DSM. We have no choice. Damn psychiatrists.
Autism and Aspergers have similar traits, and were thus categorized under "Autism Spectrum Disorder" with a severity qualifier (mild, moderate, or severe). I am fine with this. Ive worked with both populations. At the core, many of the symptoms are strikingly similar.
I don't agree with the explosion of ADHD diagnoses and the medicine that is given to children. Many clinical/counseling psychologists do not agree with this.
Again, even if clinical psychology caught up with the social trend, it wouldn't create a new diagnosis. It may just lead to an overdiagnosis of the BDD. However, just like in any profession, there are good and bad people. Hopefully, the good will be able to tease apart real BDD from you're every day gym rat.