An Overview of the DSM-5: Changes, Controversy, and Implications for Psychiatric Nursing

Scheduled for publication in May 2013, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5), will guide clinical diagnoses, treatment plans, medication choices and protocols, insurance reimbursements, and research agendas throughout the United States. It will also serve as a reference manual for clinicians around the world. This primary diagnostic source used by psychiatric and mental health providers is undergoing significant change in organization and content relative to the previous edition. This article provides a general overview of what to expect in the DSM-5, highlighting major aspects of the revision. Included is a list of the proposed diagnostic categories and an overview of some of the debate and discussion accompanying the changes. Implications for psychiatric nurses and psychiatric nursing are presented.