DSM–5
the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, prepared by the DSM–5 Task Force of the American Psychiatric Association and published in 2013. Changes from the DSM–IV–TR include use of a nonaxial approach to diagnosis with separate notations for psychosocial and contextual factors and disability; organization of diagnoses according to the period (i.e., childhood, adolescence, adulthood, later life) during which they most frequently first manifest; clustering of disorders within chapters according to internalizing factors (e.g., anxiety, depression) and externalizing factors (e.g., impulsive, disruptive conduct); replacement of the not otherwise specified label with clinician choice of other specified disorder or unspecified disorder; replacement of the Global Assessment of Functioning Scale with the World Health Organization’s Disability Assessment Schedule for
further study; and consolidation of separate diagnostic areas into spectra (e.g., autism spectrum disorder). The structure and content of the DSM–5 was coordinated with that of the forthcoming 11th revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD), although the DSM–5 retains diagnostic codes from both the ICD–9–Clinical Modification and ICD–10–CM. In addition, the Roman numerals used in previous DSM editions were replaced with an Arabic numeral to allow clearer labeling of future updates (e.g., DSM–5.1, DSM–5.2).
Several diagnostic changes in the DSM–5 have met with controversy. Its consolidation of Asperger’s disorder into autism spectrum disorder, for example, has raised concerns that those who would meet prior criteria for Asperger’s will now instead be diagnosed as having ASD, which many consider a more serious disorder, or not having either disorder, thereby losing eligibility for certain medical and educational services. Moreover, a criticism of its immediate predecessor has been lodged against the DSM–5 as well—that it retains some diagnostic criteria that pathologize normal behaviors (e.g., temper tantrums, overeating) and emotions (e.g., grief, worrying).