The consequences of DSM-5 for psychiatric diagnosis and psychopharmacotherapy

Abstract

Objective. After 10 years of preparation, DSM-5 was published in 2013. This paper will examine the possible effects of DSM-5 on psychiatric diagnosis and psychopharmacotherapy. Methods. DSM-5 was compared with DSM-IV to identify the important changes in psychiatric diagnosis and possible consequences for psychopharmacotherapy. Results. Contrary to the original plans, DSM-5 did not make radical changes and move towards dimensional diagnosis but preserved the previous categorical system of disorders and a primarily symptom-based descriptive approach. The dimensional approach was only adopted through the introduction of several transnosological specifiers and the option to make symptom- or syndrome-related assessments. The criteria for some disorders were changed, including affective, dependence and schizophrenic disorders, and a few new disorders were added. Conclusion. The DSM-IV diagnostic system was largely preserved, although some changes were made, primarily in the field of affective disorder and in several criteria sets. The new transnosological specifiers, severity assessments and cross-cutting dimensional assessments may help to individualise treatment.

Key words::

• DSM-5
• classification
• diagnosis
• psychopharmacotherapy

Acknowledgements

The author thanks Jacquie Klesing, Board-certified Editor in the Life Sciences (ELS), for editing assistance with the manuscript.

Statement of interest

None of the author reports conflicts of interest.