DSM

The publication of the DSM-5 was one of the most anticipated events in the mental health field this year. As the primary reference book for mental health professionals, it contains descriptions, symptoms and other criteria for diagnosing mental disorders. The DSM-5 also includes diagnosis criteria used by clinicians to report disorders to insurers for reimbursement and to public health authorities for causes of illness and death.

The DSM-5 incorporated several changes, including the reclassification of gambling disorders as an addiction.

In the fifth edition of the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), gambling disorders are classified as an addictive disorder.  According to the DSM-5, to be diagnosed with a gambling disorder, an individual must meet four of the nine diagnostic criteria.

Download this fact sheet to learn more about diagnosing gambling disorders.

One of the most anticipated events in the mental health field was the publication of the fifth edition of the   in May 2013. Many of the changes have caused great debate and “pathological gambling” is no exception, with substantial changes in its classification, the name of the disorder and number of symptoms required for a diagnosis. Are we ready for these changes? Jon E.