Question: What is the DSM-IV?
Answer: If you've been doing research and reading about bipolar disorder (or pretty much any mental illness), you have probably seen phrases such as, "According to the DSM-IV ..." or "The guidelines in the DSM-IV state ..." But just what is this DSM-IV? It is the 4th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders published by the American Psychiatric Association. In the United States, it is the primary system used to classify and diagnose mental disorders.
The DSM was first published in 1952. At that time, it contained only 66 disorders with short lists of symptoms for each and some discussion of the believed cause of the various disorders (Holmes). In 1968, the number of disorders was expanded a bit to just over 100 with the publication of Edition II. Edition III of the Manual (1979) introduced a multiaxial diagnostic system of five scales which allowed for a more detailed diagnosis, giving consideration to different aspects of a person's life (Holmes; Kendall & Hammen).
The Axis System
- Axis I - Clinical Disorders
- Axis II - Personality Disorders & Mental Retardation
- Axis III - General Medical Conditions
- Axis IV - Psychosocial & Environmental Problems (stressors)
- Axis V - Global Assessment of Functioning
The DSM-IV is the current edition of the manual and was first published in 1994. This edition presents nearly 400 disorders. It also improved diagnostic objectivity by adding prototypes or decision trees outlining defining features of disorders, which lead clinicians through sets of questions regarding the presence or absence of symptoms (Holmes; Kendall & Hammen). In June 2000, a text revision was published bringing it up to date with current statistics as well as the latest findings in research.
by Kimberly Read
References:
American Psychiatric Association (2000). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition Text Revision (DSM-IV-TRTM).
Holmes, D.S. (2001). Abnormal Psychology. Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.
Kendall, P.C., & Hammen, C. (1998). Abnormal Psychology: Understanding Human Problems. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Company.
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