Tuesday, 5 May 2026

DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) – Overview

 


The DSM-5 is the main diagnostic guide used by mental health professionals.

  • It provides standardized criteria for diagnosing mental health conditions
  • It is divided into 3 main sections
  • It includes 19 major categories of disorders

Structure of the DSM-5

Section I – Basics

  • Introduction and how to use the manual
  • Guidance for clinical and legal use

Section II – Diagnostic Criteria and Codes

  • The main section
  • Lists all mental health disorders with symptoms and criteria

Section III – Emerging Measures

  • New or developing conditions
  • Cultural and assessment considerations

Main DSM-5 Categories (Simplified for Your Book)

Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Conditions that begin in childhood and affect development:

  • ADHD
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder
  • Learning disabilities (dyslexia, dyscalculia)

Schizophrenia Spectrum & Other Psychotic Disorders

Conditions involving loss of contact with reality:

  • Schizophrenia
  • Delusional disorder
  • Brief psychotic disorder

Bipolar & Related Disorders

Mood disorders involving extreme highs and lows:

  • Bipolar I
  • Bipolar II
  • Cyclothymic disorder

Depressive Disorders

Conditions involving persistent low mood:

  • Major depressive disorder
  • Persistent depressive disorder

Anxiety Disorders

Excessive fear, worry, or panic:

  • Generalized anxiety disorder
  • Panic disorder
  • Agoraphobia
  • Social anxiety disorder

Obsessive-Compulsive & Related Disorders

Repetitive thoughts or behaviors:

  • OCD
  • Body dysmorphic disorder
  • Hoarding disorder

Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorders

Linked to stressful or traumatic events:

  • PTSD
  • Acute stress disorder
  • Adjustment disorders

Dissociative Disorders

Disruptions in identity, memory, or awareness:

  • Dissociative identity disorder
  • Dissociative amnesia

Somatic Symptom & Related Disorders

Physical symptoms linked to psychological distress:

  • Somatic symptom disorder
  • Illness anxiety disorder

Feeding & Eating Disorders

Eating-related conditions:

  • Anorexia nervosa
  • Bulimia nervosa
  • Binge-eating disorder

Elimination Disorders

Toileting-related conditions:

  • Enuresis (bedwetting)
  • Encopresis

Sleep-Wake Disorders

Sleep problems:

  • Insomnia
  • Sleep apnea
  • Narcolepsy

Sexual Dysfunctions

Difficulties with sexual functioning


Gender Dysphoria

Distress related to gender identity


Disruptive, Impulse-Control & Conduct Disorders

Behavioral regulation difficulties:

  • Oppositional defiant disorder
  • Conduct disorder
  • Kleptomania

Substance-Related & Addictive Disorders

Addiction and substance misuse:

  • Alcohol use disorder
  • Drug use disorders

Neurocognitive Disorders

Decline in cognitive functioning:

  • Alzheimer’s disease
  • Traumatic brain injury

Personality Disorders

Long-term patterns of thinking and behavior:

  • Borderline personality disorder
  • Narcissistic personality disorder

Paraphilic Disorders

Atypical sexual interests that may cause harm or distress


Other Conditions

  • Medication-related effects
  • Issues affecting mental health (e.g., abuse, stress, unemployment) 

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