Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), currently in its fifth edition (DSM-5, published in 2013), is a publication by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) that provides a common language and standard criteria for the classification of mental disorders.

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Purpose and Use

The DSM is primarily used in the United States and is utilized by a range of mental health professionals, including clinicians and researchers. Beyond this, its influence extends to psychiatric drug regulation agencies, health insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies, the legal system, and policymakers.

Structure and Content

The DSM classifies mental disorders into categories, each with diagnostic criteria intended to facilitate consistent diagnoses across different contexts. The manual also provides information about the prevalence, course, and treatment of each disorder. The DSM-5 contains sections on: Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders, Bipolar and Related Disorders, Depressive Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders, Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorders, Dissociative Disorders, Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders, Feeding and Eating Disorders, Elimination Disorders, Sleep-Wake Disorders, Sexual Dysfunctions, Gender Dysphoria, Disruptive, Impulse-Control, and Conduct Disorders, Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders, Neurocognitive Disorders, Personality Disorders, Paraphilic Disorders, and Other Mental Disorders.

Criticisms and Controversies

The DSM has been subject to criticism, with some pointing to the potential for over-diagnosis, cultural bias, or the influence of pharmaceutical companies. Despite these criticisms, it remains a widely used tool in the field of mental health.

See also

• International Classification of Diseases
• Mental disorder
• Psychiatry