The Advantages of Using the DSM IV Criteria for Diagnosis

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual IV provides information about each mental health diagnosis. The DSM has changed and undergone revisions since its inception. The American Journal of Psychiatry reports the DSM has brought about much controversy through the years, most notably when homosexuality was included as a mental illness. The American Psychiatric Association later removed this diagnosis. Despite criticisms of the DSM, it provides many important functions and resources for mental health professionals.

Consistency Among Providers

• Physicians, social workers, nurses, psychologists, marriage and family therapists and pyschiatrists use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual IV as a guide to diagnose mental illness. The DSM divides mental illness by category and provides a set of criteria that a patient needs to meet in order to qualify for a diagnosis. The DSM remains valid for patients in inpatient, outpatient or other community settings. Common language about a diagnosis assists providers with collaboration and treatment.

Holistic Approach

• A DSM diagnosis provides a holistic approach, with a five-axis diagnosis. The first axis includes clinical disorders, such as depression and anxiety. The second axis includes mental retardation and personality disorders. The third axis shows physical health issues that may impact mental health, such as diabetes. The fourth axis includes psychosocial stressors, such as occupational problems. A global assessment of functioning score is assigned on the fifth axis, which provides a score of the person's overall functioning from 1 to 100.

Health Insurance Reimbursement

• The DSM diagnosis assists health care providers in justifying treatment needs to the insurance companies. The DSM ensures that health care providers use the same set of criteria to diagnose a patient. In order to qualify for a diagnosis from the DSM, a person's symptoms must interfere with social, occupational or educational functioning. Insurance companies require a diagnosis before reimbursing for treatment. Based on the diagnosis, treatment may include therapy, medication or a combination of both.

Evidence-Based Treatments

• Recommended treatments vary based on the DSM diagnosis. For example, a patient with depression requires different treatment than a patient diagnosed with schizophrenia. Researchers use the DSM diagnosis to conduct studies and trials on patients. This research determines which treatment approaches provide the most effective results. As studies become published, mental health service providers learn how to incorporate the most evidence-based treatments into their practice. Public health information is gathered based on patient diagnosis, as well.