Major Restructuring Proposed for DSM-5
Clinicians will notice a significant new structuring of chapters and categories in the upcoming Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), the American Psychiatric Association (APA) announced in May.
The APA has released a newly proposed organizational framework for the DSM-5 on its Web site and is inviting comments through June 15 from anyone who plans to use the manual for diagnostic and research purposes.
As reported last October by Medscape Medical News, field trials are currently being conducted to test the new diagnostic criteria in real-world settings and will be followed by another public comment period.
The final DSM-5 framework and diagnostic criteria are scheduled to be determined by 2012. After undergoing review and approval by the APA's Board of Trustees, publication is expected in 2013.
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