DSM-5 FAQ
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`(cid:42) Feedback and Questions
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`(cid:42) Feedback and Questions
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`DSM–5: Frequently Asked Questions
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`Send us your question if you don't see an answer below.
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`What is DSMand why is it important?
`
`The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders(DSM) is the handbook used by
`health care professionals in the United States and much of the world as the authoritative
`guide to the diagnosis of mental disorders. DSMcontains descriptions, symptoms, and
`other criteria for diagnosing mental disorders. It provides a common language for clinicians
`to communicate about their patients and establishes consistent and reliable diagnoses that
`can be used in the research of mental disorders. It also provides a common language for
`researchers to study the criteria for potential future revisions and to aid in the development
`of medications and other interventions.
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`Why was DSMrevised?
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`DSMhas been periodically reviewed and revised since it was first published in 1952. The
`previous version of DSMwas completed nearly two decades ago; since that time, there has
`been a wealth of new research and knowledge about mental disorders.
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`What was the process that led to the new manual?
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`https://www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/practice/dsm/feedback-and-questions/frequently-a...
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`7/16/2018
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`ALKERMES EXHIBIT 2019
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`DSM-5 FAQ
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`The APA prepared for the revision of DSMfor nearly a decade, with an unprecedented
`process of research evaluation that included a series of white papers and 13 scientific
`conferences supported by the National Institutes of Health. This preparation brought
`together almost 400 international scientists and produced a series of monographs and
`peer-reviewed journal articles.
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`The DSM–5Task Force and Work Groups, made up of more than 160 world-renowned
`clinicians and researchers, reviewed scientific literature and garnered input from a breadth
`of advisors as the basis for proposing draft criteria.
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`The APA Board of Trustees, which approved the final criteria for DSM–5on Dec. 1,
`appointed a Scientific Review Committee of mental health experts to review and provide
`guidance on the strength of evidence of proposed changes. The Scientific Review
`Committee evaluated the strength of the evidence based on a specific template of
`validators. In addition, a Clinical and Public Health Committee reviewed proposed revisions
`to address difficulties experienced with the clinical utility, consistency and public health
`impact of DSM–IVcriteria.
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`Who was involved in the development process?
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`APA recruited more than 160 of the top researchers and clinicians from around the world to
`be members of our DSM–5Task Force, Work Groups and Study Groups for this important
`job. These are experts in neuroscience, biology, genetics, statistics, epidemiology, social
`and behavioral sciences, nosology, and public health. These members participate on a
`strictly voluntary basis and encompass several medical and mental health disciplines
`including psychiatry, psychology, pediatrics, nursing and social work.
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`How were decisions made about what would be included, removed, or
`changed?
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`APA’s goal in developing DSM–5is an evidence-based manual that is useful to clinicians in
`helping them accurately diagnose mental disorders. Decisions to include a diagnosis in
`DSM–5were based on a careful consideration of the scientific advances in research
`underlying the disorder, as well as the collective clinical knowledge of experts in the field.
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`Advances in the science of mental disorders have been dramatic in the past decades, and
`this new science was reviewed by task force and work group members to determine
`whether diagnoses needed to be removed or changed.
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`What kinds of changes were made?
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`Many of the changes in DSM–5were made to better characterize symptoms and behaviors
`of groups of people who are currently seeking clinical help but whose symptoms are not
`well defined by DSM–IV(meaning they are less likely to have access to treatment). Our
`hope is that by more accurately defining disorders, diagnosis and clinical care will be
`improved and new research will be facilitated to further our understanding of mental
`disorders. View fact sheets that cover the the changes in DSM–5.
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`Does DSM–5include information about treatments for mental disorders?
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`DSM–5is a manual for assessment and diagnosis of mental disorders and does not
`include information or guidelines for treatment of any disorder. That said, determining an
`accurate diagnosis is the first step toward being able to appropriately treat any medical
`condition, and mental disorders are no exception. DSM–5will also be helpful in measuring
`the effectiveness of treatment, as dimensional assessments will assist clinicians in
`assessing changes in severity levels as a response to treatment.
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`Why was the traditional Roman numeral dropped from DSM?
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`This change reflects APA’s intention to make future revision processes more responsive to
`breakthroughs in research with incremental updates until a new edition is required. Since
`the research base of mental disorders is evolving at different rates for different disorders,
`diagnostic guidelines will not be tied to a static publication date but rather to scientific
`advances. These incremental updates will be identified with decimals, i.e. DSM–5.1, DSM
`–5.2, etc., until a new edition is required.
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`When can DSM–5be used for insurance purposes?
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`https://www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/practice/dsm/feedback-and-questions/frequently-a...
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`Since DSM–5is completely compatible with the HIPAA-approved ICD-9-CMcoding system
`now in use by insurance companies, the revised criteria for mental disorders can be used
`immediately for diagnosing mental disorders when it is released in May 2013. However, the
`change in format from a multi-axial system in DSM-IV-TR may result in a brief delay while
`insurance companies update their claim forms and reporting procedures to accommodate
`DSM–5changes.
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`What is the relationship between DSMand the World Health Organization’s
`International Classification of Disease?
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`DSM–5and the ICD should be thought of as companion publications. DSM–5contains the
`most up-to-date criteria for diagnosing mental disorders, along with extensive descriptive
`text, providing a common language for clinicians to communicate about their patients. The
`ICD contains the code numbers used in DSM–5and all of medicine, needed for insurance
`reimbursement and for monitoring of morbidity and mortality statistics by national and
`international health agencies. The APA works closely with staff from the WHO, CMS, and
`CDC-NCHS to ensure that the two systems are maximally compatible.
`
`View the CMS response to a Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) about the relationship
`between DSMand ICD-9-CM. This response will be updated to reflect the transition to DSM
`–5as soon as it is released.
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`How much did it cost to produce DSM–5?
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`The final cost of developing DSM–5is not yet known, but we anticipate that APA has spent
`$20-$25 million on this extensive process. All of these funds came from APA's reserves and
`the association received no commercial or government funding for the development of
`DSM–5. APA is a non-profit organization representing psychiatrists and sees DSM–5as an
`investment in the future of mental health allowing for more precise identification of mental
`disorders as well as facilitating new research.
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`How can I learn more about DSM–5?
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`For more information on DSM–5including fact sheets, videos, highlights of changes, and
`order information, please visit DSM–5Education Resources.
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`https://www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/practice/dsm/feedback-and-questions/frequently-a...
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