JADE Q. WU, HANNAH BOETTCHER, V. MARK DURAND, & DAVID H. BARLOW
Introduction
The American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM), is the description of psychological disorders used by clinicians and researchers in the United States and around the world to diagnose psychopathology. The 5th and newest edition of this manual―DSM-5―was published in May of
2013 (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). With this new edition came many changes to the descriptions of the psychological disorders provided in the previous version of this publication. These revisions range from slight modifications of diagnostic criteria for some disorders to the addition of new disorders not covered in the 4th edition, text …show more content…
As you learn about anxiety and related disorders, consider the advantages and disadvantages of each approach in thinking about these and other mental health problems.
SPOTLIGHT ON DSM-5: NEW DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA FOR POSSTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER
Diagnostic Criteria for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
MAJOR CHANGES:
Posttraumatic stress disorder was classified as an anxiety disorder in DSM-IV. It is now classified under the more specific category of trauma- and stressor-related disorders.
In DSM-5, trauma exposure includes indirect exposure to a traumatic event through intense exposure to aversive elements of the event (as in rescue workers).
DSM-5 no longer requires that the person react to the event with intense fear, helplessness, or horror.
DSM-5 acknowledges that exposure may consist of multiple events.
DSM-5 no longer includes the distinction between acute and chronic PTSD.
DSM-5 added a subtype for PTSD diagnosed in preschool-age children.
DSM-5 added a specifier for PTSD with significant dissociative symptoms.
Diagnostic
Criterion
Criterion A
Exposure to a traumatic event
DSM-5
Highlights of changes from DSM-IV
to …show more content…
The DSM-5 also combined four previous diagnoses into specific learning disorder, integrating the often co-occurring mathematics disorder, disorder of written expression, and learning disorder not otherwise specified.
The DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for attention deficit/hyperactive disorder (AD/HD) have been revised to better allow the diagnosis of adults with AD/HD.
AD/HD is now included in the DSM-5’s neurodevelopmental disorders chapter instead of the chapter for disorders usually first diagnosed in infancy, childhood, or adolescence (which was eliminated), in order to better reflect the role brain development plays in this disorder.
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DSM-5 CONTROVERSIES: IS AUTISM A SPECTRUM?
One of the most talked about and debated changes to occur in DSM-5 was the elimination of separate categories for "autistic disorder" and "Asperger 's disorder," which were present in DSM-IV. For example, take the cases of Michael and Juan – two five year old boys who would today both receive the