Today, the new Fifth Edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders, or D.S.M. -5 as it’s more commonly known, comes out. Often called the “Bible of Psychiatry,” the new 947-page manual outlines diagnoses for hundreds of mental disorders. Published by the American Psychiatric Association, the manual is broadly influential, affecting mental health professionals, insurance companies, the court system, and pharmaceutical and mental health research.
It is also not without its share of controversy. The director of the National Institutes of Mental Health even came out earlier this month to say that they will ignore it.
Current State producer Joe Linstroth sits down with Michigan State University assistant professor of psychology Chris Hopwood. He’s conducting training workshops for the American Psychological Association on the new DSM 5. They discuss the changes and the controversy surrounding the book, which is the first edition in nearly 20 years.