Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-IV)

In this section you will find information about various mental health diagnoses as listed in the DSM-IV.  The DSM-IV is the reference used by mental health professionals and psychiatrists in making mental health and substance abuse diagnoses.  The purpose of this tool is to provide clear descriptions of diagnostic categories in order to enable professionals to diagnose, communicate about, study, and treat people with various mental health and substance abuse issues. The information in the DSM-IV does not, however, encompass all the conditions for which people may be treated.  And not every single diagnosis is described here, but information is given regarding the most common or most asked-about mental health issues. Adequate knowledge, training, and practice in using the DSM-IV is an absolute must, and care must be used when interpreting and differentiating the vast information within.

The DSM was first published in 1952, and there have been five revisions since then.  The DSM-IV was published in 1994, and a few years ago some of the text was revised, resulting in the DSM-IV-TR.  Much research goes into each revision, and the next volume, the DSM-V, is due for publication in 2012.