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

General Description

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders is a guide created by the American Psychiatric Association that sets the criteria psychologists and psychiatrists use to classify and identify various mental health conditions. The first version was published in 1952 to facilitate patient evaluation and communication within the scientific community. Since then, several updated versions have been released. The latest, the DSM-5, was published in 2013 and introduced significant changes in the diagnosis of these conditions.

In the DSM-5, each mental disorder is assigned a code that allows specialists to easily identify the type and severity of the illness. Additionally, disorders are classified based on the patient’s developmental stage, gender, and cultural background. The main classification groups include:

• Neurodevelopmental disorders
• Schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders
• Bipolar and related disorders
• Depressive disorders
• Anxiety disorders
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder and related disorders
• Trauma- and stressor-related disorders
• Dissociative disorders
• Somatic symptom and related disorders
• Feeding and eating disorders
• Elimination disorders
• Sleep-wake disorders
• Sexual dysfunctions
• Gender dysphoria
• Disruptive, impulse-control, and conduct disorders
• Substance-related and addictive disorders
• Neurocognitive disorders
• Personality disorders
• Paraphilic disorders
• Other mental disorders
• Other conditions that may be the focus of clinical attention

The DSM-5 is therefore a tool used by mental health specialists to diagnose and categorize their patients’ disorders. To reach a diagnosis, they rely on observation, active listening, and clinical interviews.

When is it indicated?

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders is used to assess symptoms and behaviors in patients attending a psychological or psychiatric consultation, aiming to provide a clear diagnosis that enables the implementation of appropriate treatment.

How is it conducted?

Specialists use the DSM-5 as a guide to carry out their analysis since the manual outlines the common symptoms of each disorder and specifies how many must be present for a positive diagnosis.

During the psychological evaluation, the specialist seeks to understand the patient to determine the disorder they may have. It is common to follow these steps:

• Gather general information about the patient, their lifestyle, and environment.
• Analyze cognitive responses, meaning how the patient perceives their surroundings.
• Detect physiological alterations that are visibly apparent and have a psychological origin.
• Study emotional reactions to various situations.

It is important to note that psychologists and psychiatrists also have the expertise to distinguish between symptoms caused by a mental disorder and those resulting from other medical conditions or external circumstances.

Risks

Diagnostic interviews or psychological evaluations based on the criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders pose no risks.

What to expect from a psychological evaluation based on the DSM-5

To obtain the necessary information, specialists may focus on the interview process, fostering a trusting environment, or use psychometric tests.

During this process, the patient sits in a chair facing the psychologist or psychiatrist to engage in a relaxed conversation.

After the initial assessment, a diagnosis is made, and the next steps are determined.

Specialties that require DSM-5-based evaluations

The DSM-5 manual is primarily used in psychology and psychiatry.