The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of mental disorders is a publication of the

This new edition of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), used by clinicians and researchers to diagnose and classify mental disorders, is the product of more than 10 years of effort by hundreds of international experts in all aspects of mental health. Their dedication and hard work have yielded an authoritative volume that defines and classifies mental disorders in order to improve diagnoses, treatment, and research.

The criteria are concise and explicit, intended to facilitate an objective assessment of symptom presentations in a variety of clinical settings—inpatient, outpatient, partial hospital, consultation-liaison, clinical, private practice, and primary care. New features and enhancements make DSM-5 easier to use across all settings: 

  • The chapter organization reflects a lifespan approach, with disorders typically diagnosed in childhood (such as neurodevelopmental disorders) at the beginning of the manual, and those more typical of older adults (such as neurocognitive disorders) placed at the end. Also included are age-related factors specific to diagnosis.
  • The latest findings in neuroimaging and genetics have been integrated into each disorder along with gender and cultural considerations.
  • The revised organizational structure recognizes symptoms that span multiple diagnostic categories, providing new clinical insight in diagnosis.
  • Specific criteria have been streamlined, consolidated, or clarified to be consistent with clinical practice (including the consolidation of autism disorder, Asperger’s syndrome, and pervasive developmental disorder into autism spectrum disorder, the streamlined classification of bipolar and depressive disorders, the restructuring of substance use disorders for consistency and clarity, and the enhanced specificity for major and mild neurocognitive disorders).
  • Dimensional assessments for research and validation of clinical results have been provided.
  • Both ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM codes are included for each disorder, and the organizational structure is consistent with the new ICD-11 in development.

 The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, is the most comprehensive, current, and critical resource for clinical practice available to today's mental health clinicians and researchers of all orientations. The information contained in the manual is also valuable to other physicians and health professionals, including psychologists, counselors, nurses, and occupational and rehabilitation therapists, as well as social workers and forensic and legal specialists

What is the DSM-5?

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, often known as the “DSM,” is a reference book on mental health and brain-related conditions and disorders. The American Psychiatric Association (APA) is responsible for the writing, editing, reviewing and publishing of this book.

The number “5” attached to the name of the DSM refers to the fifth — and most recent — edition of this book. The DSM-5®’s original release date was in May 2013. The APA released a revised version of the fifth edition in March 2022. That version is known as the DSM-5-TR™, with TR meaning “text revision.”

IMPORTANT: The DSM-5 and DSM-5-TR are medical reference books intended for experts and professionals. The content in these books is very technical, though people who aren’t medical professionals may still find it interesting or educational. However, you shouldn’t use either of these books as a substitute for seeing a trained, qualified mental health or medical provider.

Additionally, the APA also publishes books that supplement the content in the DSM-5-TR. Examples of these supplement publications include the DSM-5 Handbook of Differential Diagnosis and DSM-5 Clinical Cases.

What is the purpose of the DSM-5?

The first step in treating any health condition — physical or mental — is accurately diagnosing the condition. That’s where the DSM-5 comes in. It provides clear, highly detailed definitions of mental health and brain-related conditions. It also provides details and examples of the signs and symptoms of those conditions.

In addition to defining and explaining conditions, the DSM-5 organizes those conditions into groups. That makes it easier for healthcare providers to accurately diagnose conditions and tell them apart from conditions with similar signs and symptoms.

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.

For the DSM-5-TR, the APA called on many of those involved in the initial DSM-5 release. In all, more than 200 professionals directly contributed to the DSM-5-TR.

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.

More about Section II and the types of conditions it covers

The types of conditions that can be found in the DSM-5 include:

Section titleExamples of disorders in that section
Neurodevelopmental Disorders Autism spectrum disorder.
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Learning disorders (which covers dyslexia, dyscalculia, etc.).
Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders Schizophrenia.
Schizoaffective disorder.
Delusional disorder.
Bipolar and Related Disorders Bipolar I and bipolar II disorders.
Cyclothymic disorder.
Depressive Disorders Major depressive disorder.
Persistent depressive disorder.
Anxiety Disorders Generalized anxiety disorder.
Social anxiety disorder.
Separation anxiety disorder.
Panic disorder.
Phobias.
Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Hoarding disorder.
Body dysmorphic disorder.
Skin-picking disorder and hair-pulling disorder.
Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorders Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Acute stress disorder.
Adjustment disorder.
Dissociative Disorders Dissociative identity disorder.
Dissociative amnesia.
Depersonalization/derealization disorder.
Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders Somatic symptom disorder.
Illness anxiety disorder.
Functional neurological symptom disorder (conversion disorder).
Feeding and Eating Disorders Anorexia nervosa.
Bulimia nervosa.
Binge-eating disorder.
Pica.
Elimination Disorders Enuresis (a group of disorders that includes bedwetting).
Sleep-Wake Disorders Insomnia disorder.
Narcolepsy.
Sleep apnea disorders.
Nightmare disorder.
Restless legs syndrome.
Sexual Dysfunctions Sexual dysfunctions.
Gender Dysphoria Gender dysphoria-related disorders.
Disruptive, Impulse-Control and Conduct Disorders Oppositional defiant disorder.
Antisocial personality disorder.
Kleptomania.
Pyromania.
Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders Alcohol use disorder.
Inhalant use disorder.
Opioid use disorder.
Withdrawal-related symptoms.
Neurocognitive Disorders Delirium.
Alzheimer’s disease.
Parkinson’s disease.
Huntington’s disease.
Traumatic brain injury.
Personality Disorders Borderline personality disorder (BPD).
Narcissistic personality disorder.
Paraphilic Disorders Sexual behavior disorders.
Other Mental Disorders and Additional Codes Conditions that don’t match the definition of another condition, but that still significantly affect someone’s life.
Medication-Induced Movement Disorders and Other Adverse Effects of Medication Tardive dyskinesia.
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome.
Other Conditions That May Be a Focus of Clinical Attention These include circumstances or behaviors that aren’t conditions, but that may affect or happen in relation to diagnosable conditions. Examples include self-harm and suicidal behaviors, a history of any type of abuse, unemployment, etc.

When will the APA publish the next edition of the DSM?

The APA doesn’t publish editions of the DSM on a regular schedule. Instead, they update the DSM as necessary. The APA published past editions of the DSM (which used Roman numerals before the fifth edition) in the following years:

  • DSM-I®: 1952.
  • DSM-II®: 1968.
  • DSM-III®: 1980. The APA published a revised version, the DSM-III-R®, in 1987.
  • DSM-IV®: 1994. The APA published a text revision version, the DSM-IV-TR®, in 2000.
  • DSM-5: 2013. The APA published a text revision version, the DSM-5-TR, in 2022.

Is DSM-5 available to the public?

Yes. The DSM-5 is available for purchase in many bookstores and online stores. Many public libraries also have a copy (your local library may restrict this book to in-library use only, meaning you can’t check it out).

While the DSM-5 and DSM-5-TR are available to the public in multiple ways, it’s important to remember that the intended users of this book are medical professionals. As a result, the content in this book is extremely technical. That means the average person will probably find this book difficult to understand.

You shouldn’t use the DSM-5 or DSM-5-TR as a substitute for seeing a medical or mental health professional. It’s best to look at the DSM-5 and DSM-5-TR like you’d look at a book about how to fly a plane. You might find it interesting to read that book, but that’s no substitute for the formal education and training required to become a pilot.

Is DSM-5 still used?

Yes, but there are two variants of this book. The APA published the DSM-5 in 2013. In 2022, the APA published a text revision version, the DSM-5-TR. This text revision version includes updates and changes to the DSM-5 that reflect changes and updates in mental health practice since 2013. That makes the DSM-5-TR the preferred version, as it’s the most current and accurate version of this resource.

Among mental health providers, especially psychiatrists and psychologists, the DSM-5-TR is the most important resource for diagnosing mental health- and brain-related conditions. While it’s a publication of a United States-based organization, the DSM-5 is also an essential resource for providers worldwide, with translations into more than 18 languages available.

A note from Cleveland Clinic

The DSM-5 and its revised version, the DSM-5-TR, are key resource books for mental health professionals. This book is widely available for purchase, and many libraries may also make it available to their patrons. This book is intended for medical and mental health professionals, which is why it’s extremely detailed and very technical.

While the average person might find it interesting or informative, it’s not meant for casual use or self-diagnosis. If you think you or a loved one might have a condition defined in the DSM-5 or DSM-5-TR, you or your loved one should see a healthcare or mental health provider. Just like you wouldn’t perform surgery on yourself, it’s best to seek care from a trained, qualified mental health provider.

Who published Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders?

DSM-5
Author
American Psychiatric Association
Series
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
Subject
Classification and diagnosis of mental disorders
Published
May 18, 2013
Media type
Print (hardcover, softcover); e-book
DSM-5 - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org › wiki › DSM-5null

What does the DSM

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR)

When was the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders first published?

Post–World War II The APA Committee on Nomenclature and Statistics developed a variant of the ICD–6 that was published in 1952 as the first edition of DSM. DSM contained a glossary of descriptions of the diagnostic categories and was the first official manual of mental disorders to focus on clinical use.

What is the APA Diagnostic manual?

Today, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) released the Diagnostic And Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR). The manual, which the APA has published and updated since 1952, defines and classifies mental disorders in order to improve diagnosis, treatment and research.