DSM IV

DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition) is a manual published by the American Psychiatric Association that includes all currently recognized mental health disorders. The DSM-IV is used by mental health professionals to diagnose mental illnesses and by insurance companies to reimburse for treatment.

Overview[edit | edit source]

The DSM-IV is the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. It was published in 1994 and replaced the DSM-III-R. The DSM-IV was subsequently replaced by the DSM-5 in 2013. The DSM-IV is still used by some professionals and organizations for various purposes, including research, although the DSM-5 is the current version.

Structure[edit | edit source]

The DSM-IV is divided into five parts, or "axes", each of which covers a different aspect of a patient's mental health. These axes are:

Axis I: Clinical disorders, including major mental disorders, and learning disorders
Axis II: Personality disorders and mental retardation
Axis III: General medical conditions
Axis IV: Psychosocial and environmental factors contributing to the disorder
Axis V: Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF)

Criticisms[edit | edit source]

The DSM-IV has been criticized for a number of reasons. Some critics argue that it pathologizes normal human behavior, while others argue that it is overly reliant on the medical model of mental illness and neglects social and environmental factors. The DSM-IV has also been criticized for its reliance on categorical diagnoses, as opposed to a dimensional approach that would take into account the severity and frequency of symptoms.

See also[edit | edit source]

DSM IV Resources
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