DSM-5
Also written as: DSM-5 — Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition
The standard classification system for mental disorders used by psychiatric professionals for diagnosis and treatment planning.
Full Definition
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) is the authoritative guide published by the American Psychiatric Association that provides standardized criteria for diagnosing mental health conditions. It includes detailed descriptions of symptoms, prevalence data, and diagnostic codes used across psychiatric practice. The manual serves as the primary reference for clinicians, researchers, and insurance providers in mental health treatment documentation.
Usage
Usage note: Always hyphenated; never spelled out in clinical documentation.
In Context
- "The therapist referenced DSM-5 criteria when documenting the patient's major depressive disorder diagnosis." — Clinical assessment report
- "Insurance pre-authorization requires DSM-5 diagnostic codes for all treatment requests." — Billing documentation