Robert L. Spitzer

Robert L. Spitzer was an influential American psychiatrist and a key figure in the field of mental health. He is best known for his work on the development of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), which standardizes the classification of mental health conditions. Spitzer also conducted important research on the validity of psychiatric diagnoses. In the 1970s, he played a crucial role in the removal of homosexuality from the DSM, advocating for a more compassionate understanding of sexual orientation. His contributions have significantly shaped modern psychiatry and our understanding of mental health issues.