The DSM-III system as an aid in office practice

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Psychiatrists always seem to be changing their diagnostic terminology, and now they have done it again. This time, though, the changes have made a most important advance in relating psychiatric diagnoses and concepts to the rest of medical practice. We asked Dr Linn to put the new DSM-III into perspective for the primary care physician, and he has done so in this article. Although this approach may appear to be somewhat complex, the thoughtful reader will be richly rewarded with an ingenious, helpful framework for the consideration of patients' problems, whether these be physical, psychologic, or social.