Which manual is widely used for psychiatric diagnoses?

• A. ICD-10
• B. MMSE
• C. WAIS
• D. DSM-5

Answer: (D)

Standardized criteria for diagnosing mental disorders are essential to ensure reliable, consistent diagnoses across clinicians. The widely used manual for psychiatric diagnoses is the DSM-5. Published by the American Psychiatric Association, it provides detailed diagnostic criteria and category definitions for a wide range of mental disorders, along with specifiers and guidance to distinguish similar conditions. This framework helps clinicians determine when a patient’s symptoms meet the threshold for a specific disorder, informs treatment planning and prognosis, and supports clear communication and billing in many clinical settings. While other tools like screening exams and tests exist (for example, cognitive screens or intelligence tests) and international coding systems (such as ICD) are used for different purposes, DSM-5 remains the standard reference for diagnosing mental health conditions in many practices.