DSM History

DSM History

Abstract

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, or DSM, is an official classification system of mental disorders used in the United States and by many health professionals around the world. Published by the American Psychiatric Association, the DSM is an evolving text that is periodically revised to reflect the most contemporary knowledge regarding psychological disorders. Since its inception in 1952, this handbook has undergone a series of revisions (DSM-II, DSM-III, DSM-III-Revised, DSM-IV, and DSM-1Y-TR). Reflecting the human penchant for organizing and categorizing, the DSM contains comprehensive descriptions of several hundred psychiatric disorders, ranging from relatively minor adjustment-related issues to severe, persistent, and disabling conditions. In recent editions of the DSM, researchers have rigorously attempted to establish a valid and reliable diagnostic system.

DSM History

Outline

This paper presents the history of DSM. The first section introduces the topic, while the axis system of DSM is discussed in the second section. The third section covers the discussion on DSM IV and its application to bipolar disorders. Lastly the criteria for applying DSM III and DSM IV standards are discussed followed by a brief conclusion.

Introduction

The DSM was first released in 1952. At that time, it comprised only 66 disorders with short registers of symptoms for each and some consideration of the accepted origin of the diverse disorders (Holmes). In 1968, the number of disorders was amplified to just over 100 with the publication of Edition II. Edition III of the Manual (1979) presented a multiaxial diagnostic scheme of five levels (American Psychiatric Association, 2007).

 

The Axis System of the DSM

Each axis comprises a distinct kind of mental sickness or a way in which a mental sickness may be influenced. In demonstration, foremost mental sickness for example bipolar disorder drop along Axis I. If an episode of despondency is initiated by or exacerbated through tension for example the continual misuse of a spouse, the disorder will have the supplemented dimension of Axis IV. This permits for a much more comprehensive diagnosis.

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 (Fauman, 2008).

 

Current Edition of the DSM

The DSM-IV is the present version of the manual and was first released in 1994. This version presents almost 400 disorders. It furthermore advanced diagnostic objectivity by supplementing prototypes or conclusion trees explaining characterising characteristics of disorders, which lead clinicians through groups of inquiries considering the occurrence or nonattendance of symptoms. In June 2000, a text modification was released conveying the DSM present at that issue in time with the newer statistics as well as the newest outcome in research (First, 2006).

The manual is an comprehensive compilation of data so it is coordinated into parts for simpler reference. The first part is comprised of directions about how to use the devices comprised in the DSM. The next part is the comprehensive classification scheme records the authorized ciphers for each ...