The diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders: Fifth edition (DSM-5) model of impairment

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) is the leading reference within the United States for establishing accurate diagnosis of mental health syndromes and is considered a medical classification system (American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2013, p. xli, 10). A wide variety of professionals including counselors, forensic specialists, nurses, physicians, psychiatrists, psychologists, rehabilitation therapists, and social workers utilize the DSM to facilitate assessment of symptoms within their clinical practice. The manual also crosses multiple disciplines including biological, behavioral, cognitive, and psychodynamic orientations in understanding mental health. By design, the DSM is intended to provide a common nomenclature for researchers, practitioners, and public health agencies serving the needs of individuals with mental health diagnoses across a range of settings from inpatient hospital treatment to outpatient clinics and private practice.