David Shaffer

Shaffer retired as director of the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the New York State Psychiatric Institute (NYSPI)/Columbia University (CU) in May 2008, but retains his academic position and is actively engaged in research on DSM-5, the determinants and triggers of suicidal ideation, and the categorization of suicidal ideation and behavior in adolescents. He thus maintains ties with the Division of Child Psychiatry at NYSPI/CU, which, under his leadership, grew from a small department with seven hundred visits a year to one with over 35,000; from one without research grants to one that holds a portfolio of over $30 million per annum; and from one with four child psychiatrists in training to one that is now the largest in the country, with five endowed chairs, over twenty-four clinical trainees, eight research trainees, and junior researchers from all continents.

Shaffer's contribution to psychiatric classification dates back to 1966, when he collaborated with Sir Michael Rutter to explore the benefits of a multi-axial system for the ICD-9. The multi-axial modifications of the ICD-9 subsequently influenced the development of the DSM-III. He served on the Child and Adolescent Work Group for DSM-III and DSM-IIIR and was co-chair of that group for DSM-IV. He is currently a member of the Child and Adolescent Work Group and the Mood Disorders Work Group for DSM-V and is co-chair of the Disruptive Behaviors Disorder Workgroup for DSM-V.

David Shaffer F.R.C.P., F.R.C.Psych., (born 20 April 1936) is the Irving Philips Professor of Child Psychiatry in the Departments of Psychiatry and Pediatrics, at Columbia University's College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City, now the Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons. Dr. Shaffer has also been the chief of pediatric psychiatry at New York–Presbyterian Hospital and chief of the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, New York State Psychiatric Institute. He is the former spouse of renowned British-American journalist Anna Wintour.