Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) has been through several revisions since the first edition was published in 1952. DSM-5 is the latest revision, and it was published in 2013. The classification of mental health disorders is a classic debate. At the center of this debate is whether disorders should be classified using categorical or dimensional approaches. The DSM-5 integrates both approaches. The DSM-5 changes created many adjustments, questions, and controversies.
Your Tasks
1) Read the material in “Learning Resources.”
2) Conduct a brief review of scholarly literature on DSM-5 changes.
3) Choose a major change in DSM-5 such as any one of the changes listed below or another change mentioned from your review of the scholarly literature that particularly interests you and discuss whether the change is an improvement or problematic from your point of view. Be sure to cite your source(s) to support your opinion.
Some examples of major changes with the DSM-5 include:
- Combining Axes l and ll
- Dropping Axis IV (Psychosocial and Environmental Problems)
- Dropping Axis V (Global Assessment of Functioning, known as GAF)
- Removal of all subtypes of schizophrenia
- Inclusion of bereavement
- Any disorder change such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, Tobacco Use Disorder, Trauma and Stressor-Related Disorders, etc.
- Changes in terminology
- Harmonizing with the ICD systems
