Link to the DSM 5 in the SUNY Empire Library
What is the DSM-5 TR:
The DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) is published by the American Psychiatric Association (APA). It provides standardized criteria used by clinicians and researchers to classify and diagnose mental disorders.
The current edition is the DSM-5-TR (Text Revision), published in 2022.
In psychology courses, the DSM helps you:
Understand how mental disorders are defined and diagnosed
Learn the criteria clinicians use to identify disorders
Recognize patterns and symptom clusters
Connect diagnoses to treatment approaches and research findings
Try this:
Read one DSM entry and summarize it in your own words using these prompts:
What are the core symptoms?
How long must they last?
What are the key differential diagnoses?
What risk factors are mentioned?
Each DSM entry follows a consistent format. Here’s how to read it:
| Section | What It Means | How to Approach It |
|---|---|---|
| Disorder Name & Code |
Official diagnostic label and ICD-10-CM code used for billing and data. |
Note the ICD code—it links to global health data. |
| Diagnostic Criteria |
A list of symptoms and conditions that must be met for diagnosis. |
Focus on keywords like “must include,” “persistent,” or “significant distress.” |
| Diagnostic Features |
Narrative description of the most typical symptoms and presentation. |
Read for big-picture understanding, not memorization. |
| Associated Features Supporting Diagnosis |
Additional symptoms or personality traits that often accompany the disorder. |
Helps you understand real-world variability. |
| Prevalence |
How common is the disorder in different populations? |
Note differences across age, gender, culture. |
| Development and Course |
How the disorder typically appears and changes over time. |
Use this to help you understand the presentation and impact of the disorder across the lifespan. |
| Risk and Prognostic Factors |
Genetic, environmental, or psychological influences. |
Connect these to theories of causation. |
| Culture-Related Diagnostic Issues |
Cultural differences in how symptoms appear or are understood. |
Important for cultural competence. |
| Gender-Related Diagnostic Issues |
How the disorder manifests differently in males vs. females. |
Avoid stereotypes—focus on patterns and data. |
| Suicide Risk |
Notes on increased risk or required assessment. |
Always take these sections seriously in clinical context. |
| Functional Consequences |
How the disorder affects daily life and functioning. |
Think of case study applications. |
| Differential Diagnosis |
How to distinguish the disorder from others with similar symptoms. |
Great for exam prep and critical thinking. |
| Comorbidity |
Other disorders often diagnosed alongside it. |
Helps understand complex cases. |
The DSM-5-TR is organized by three main sections:
This section is an orientation to the manual, including its purpose and organization. The best way to fully understand the DSM-5-TR organizational structure and intended use is to read Section I of the manual.
It is in this section that you'll find actual diagnostic criteria. This section also includes chapters for conditions that are not mental disorders but may be encountered in a clinical setting. The chapter sequence in the DSM-5-TR is the same as the DSM-5:
Start Broad, Then Go Deep
Begin with the overview before diving into diagnostic criteria.
Use Case Studies
Apply what you read to fictional or real-life examples—it helps with retention.
Highlight Key Terms
Look for recurring phrases like clinically significant distress, impairment, and duration—these signal diagnostic thresholds.
Compare Disorders
Reading Differential Diagnosis sections side by side can clarify subtle differences (e.g., Major Depressive Disorder vs. Persistent Depressive Disorder).
Use the Index and Cross-References
The DSM has useful cross-references that connect disorders with related ones.
Remember: It’s Descriptive, Not Prescriptive
The DSM describes patterns—it doesn’t explain why they happen or how to treat them. Those come from theory and research.
