One of the most common medical conditions in the United States is mental health disorders. According to the Centers For Disease And Control (CDC), over 50% of people experience mental illnesses.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM 5), was released by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) as a tool to assist medical professionals in diagnosing these mental health conditions. Check out this DSM-5 overview to learn more.
The DSM-5: What Is It?
In the United States, clinicians and psychiatrists frequently consult the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) to make psychiatric diagnoses. The DSM, issued by the American Psychiatric Association (APA), covers every type of mental illness in adults and children.
It includes descriptions, signs, and other criteria to diagnose a mental health disorder. It also provides information on demographics, typical onset ages, the evolution and progression of disorders, risk factors, prognostic indicators, and other pertinent diagnostic concerns.
There are different sections in the DSM-5. Information on how to use the manual can be found in Section 1. The document lists various mental disorders’ typical symptoms under the “diagnostic criteria” section 2.
To aid mental health professionals in their decision-making,
- the manual’s third section offers assessment tools,
- a manual on cultural formulation, and
- an alternative conceptualization of personality disorders.
Future research on specific conditions is also discussed in this section.
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DSM-5 Organization And Chapters
Three sections and an appendix make up the structure of the DSM-5.
Section II of the DSM is the longest because it contains a list of every mental health condition,
The DSM sections are as follows:
Basics of DSM-5 in Section I
This section contains chapters on “Introduction,” “Use of the Manual,” “Cautionary Statements for Forensic Use of DSM-5”, and other topics.
Diagnostic Guidelines and Codes in Section II
Mental health disorders are categorized and defined in this section.
All childhood conditions are listed before adult-onset requirements in alphabetical and developmental order.
New Models and Measures in Section III
This section includes chapters that address applying the most recent findings in mental health, such as assessment techniques and how to take cultural influences into account.
It also includes more recent disorders, like persistent complex bereavement disorder, caffeine use disorder, and internet gaming disorder. It also needs more research before being included in the general diagnostic classification.
Appendix
A list of changes from the DSM-4 to the DSM-5 is
- a glossary of scientific terms, and
- a list of DSM-5 advisors is among the extra details in the final section.
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With an Eye on the Future
Another section of the DSM-5 is titled “Conditions for Further Study.”
It discusses conditions of the mind that require further study. However, this part of the book is not intended to be used in patient diagnosis. Examples comprise of:
- syndrome of attenuated psychosis,
- internet gaming addiction, and
- self-harm is not suicide.
Takeaway
Although the DSM-5 is applicable, you shouldn’t use it to determine whether you or a loved one suffers from a mental health disorder.
Consult your doctor if you suspect you may suffer from a mental health issue.
DSM 5 talks about disorders, so let’s take you to one of the most common disorders, Anxiety Disorders. To keep reading, click here.
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