Toward DSM-V and the classification of psychopathology

The Diagnostic a,ld Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) develop ed by the American Psychiatric association (1994) is a compelling effort at a best approximation to date of a scientifically based nomenclature, but e ven its authors have acknowledged that its diagnoses and criterion sets are highly debatable. Well-meaning clinicians, theorists, and researchers coul d find some basis for fault in virtually every sentence, due in part to the absence of adequate research to guide its construction. Some points of dis agreement, however, are more fundamental than others. The authors discuss i ssues that cut across individual diagnostic categories and that should rece ive particular attention in DSM-V: (a) the process by which the diagnostic manual is developed, (b) the differentiation from normal psychological func tioning, (c) the differentiation among diagnostic categories, (d) cross-sec tional vs. Longitudinal diagnoses, and (e) the role of laboratory instrumen ts.