DSM-5 - The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual on Mental Illness

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual on Mental Illness is the latest professional reference book of the American Psychiatric Association on mental health and brain related disorders. It is a major guide for US mental health providers, also known as DSM-5, and the latest version, DSM-5-TR, is scheduled to be published in 2022.

What is the DSM-5?

 The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders is a reference book for mental health, brain disorders and related disorders. The American Psychiatric Association (APA) was responsible for the publication, editing, editing and publication of this book.

The name "5" refers to the fifth and most recent editions of the book. The first release date of DSM-5® was in May 2013. The APA published a revised fifth edition in March 2022. This version is called DSM-5-TRTM, with TR being the word for "text revision". 

What is the purpose of the DSM-5?

Figuring out what's wrong, whether it's with your body or your mind, is the first move in getting better. That's where the DSM-5 steps in. It lays out straightforward, really specific descriptions of mental health and brain-related issues. Plus, it gives you the lowdown on the signs and symptoms for each of those conditions, with examples.

Beyond just defining and explaining these conditions, the DSM-5 also sorts them into categories. This helps doctors and other health pros nail down a diagnosis and tell the difference between conditions that look alike.

How was the DSM-5 content created?

To create the DSM-5, the APA gathered more than 160 mental healthcare professionals from around the world, including psychiatrists, psychologists and experts from many other professional fields. Hundreds of other professionals contributed and assisted as advisers on specific topics. The creation of the DSM-5 also involved field trials and tests.

What topics does the DSM-5 cover?

The DSM-5 mainly focuses on mental health conditions. However, because mental health and brain function are inseparable, the DSM-5 also covers conditions and concerns related to how the brain works. The book also contains diagnostic codes, which make it easier for healthcare providers to cross-reference conditions against the World Health Organization’s International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th Edition (ICD-10).

The DSM-5 has three sections:

• Section I: DSM-5 Basics. This section covers how medical professionals should use the book in their work. It also includes guidance on using the DSM-5 when mental health concerns involve legal professionals, court cases, etc.
• Section II: Diagnostic Criteria and Codes. This section is the largest in the book. Each chapter covers a type of condition, with the specific conditions defined and explained within (see the table below for more about this section).
• Section III: Emerging Measures and Models. This section contains information about specific assessment tools, which providers use as guidelines for diagnosing some conditions. It also has information about how cultural differences may affect a diagnosis, and a chapter about conditions that may eventually go into a later edition of the DSM but need further study before that happens.