The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5) is a manual used to formally
diagnose mental disorders. The manual lists contemporary
mental disorders along with diagnostic
criteria, a general description of each disorder, and relevant
research related to the disorder. The DSM is published
by the American Psychiatric Association and, as
such, is predominantly used in the United States by
those who are licensed to diagnose and treat mental
disorders.
The first version of the DSM was published in 1952
and reflected what was known about mental disorders
and treatment in the US Armed Forces. The third edition
of the DSM, published in 1980, was developed to
align with the International Statistical Classification of
Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD). Since
then, four more versions of the DSM have been published,
including the current DSM-5 that was published
in 2013. The DSM-5 includes significant changes to
several specific diagnoses, including Schizophrenia,
and what is now known as the Autism Spectrum
Disorder (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).
