DSM

DSM or Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders is a publication by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) that includes all currently recognized mental health disorders. The DSM provides a comprehensive list of identified mental disorders by classification category and provides detailed descriptions on each disorder.

History

The DSM was first published in 1952 and has undergone several revisions, with the most recent version being the DSM-5, published in 2013. The DSM has been widely used by mental health professionals in the United States and around the world.

Purpose

The primary purpose of the DSM is to assist mental health professionals in diagnosing mental disorders. The DSM provides a common language and standard criteria for the classification of mental disorders, which helps ensure that a diagnosis is both accurate and consistent.

Structure

The DSM is divided into three parts: the diagnostic classification, the diagnostic criteria sets, and the descriptive text. The diagnostic classification lists all of the mental disorders that are recognized by the APA. The diagnostic criteria sets provide the symptoms that must be present in order for a diagnosis to be made. The descriptive text provides additional information about each disorder, such as the associated features, prevalence, familial pattern, and differential diagnosis.

Criticisms

Despite its widespread use, the DSM has been the subject of criticism. Some critics argue that the DSM represents an overly medicalized view of mental health and that it uses a categorical approach to mental health rather than a dimensional approach. Others argue that the DSM does not adequately take into account the context in which a person's symptoms occur.

See Also

• Mental Health
• Psychiatry
• Psychology
• American Psychiatric Association

References

DSM Resources
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