Counseling & Psychology

What is the DSM?

The DSM or "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders," is a taxonomic and diagnostic tool for psychiatric diagnoses. Published by the American Psychiatric Association, the DSM-5-TR is the most recent update to this manual. While the DSM is meant to be used as a diagnostic reference in clinical practice, it does not cover how to present diagnostic conclusions. In case formulation for individuals, the DSM should be used as one part of an informed treatment plan which also considers clinical history and other contextual factors.

Guide Objectives

By the end of this guide, you will be able to:

• Locate the online version of the DSM-5-TR within the library collection
• Navigate the online manual 
• Cite an entry within the DSM using APA style

Online Version of the DSM-5-TR

The library has access to an online version of the DSM-5-TR. You can find it here:

Simply click on DSM-5-TR from the "DSM Library" drop-down menu to view. You can find a short video of this process here:

DSM-5-TR Organization

The DSM-5-TR is organized by three main sections:

Section I: DSM-5 basics

This section is an orientation to the manual, including its purpose and organization. The best way to fully understand the DSM-5-TR organizational structure and intended use is to read Section I of the manual.

Section II: Diagnostic Criteria and Codes

It is in this section that you'll find actual diagnostic criteria. This section also includes chapters for conditions that are not mental disorders but may be encountered in a clinical setting. The chapter sequence in the DSM-5-TR is the same as the DSM-5:

• Neurodevelopmental Disorders
• Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders
• Bipolar and Related Disorders
• Depressive Disorders
• Anxiety Disorders
• Elimination Disorders
• Other Mental Disorders and Additional Codes
• Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders
• Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorders
• Dissociative Disorders
• Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders
• Feeding and Eating Disorders
• Sleep-Wake Disorders
• Sexual Dysfunctions
• Gender Dysphoria
• Disruptive, Impulse-Control, and Conduct Disorders
• Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders
• Neurocognitive Disorders
• Personality Disorders
• Paraphilic Disorder
• Medication-Induced Movement Disorders and Other Adverse Effects of Medication
• Other Conditions That May Be a Focus of Clinical Attention

Section III: Emerging Measures and Models

This section contains information to help clinicians understand the cultural context of mental disorders and overviews emerging diagnoses.

Additional Resources

The American Psychiatric Association has a variety of informational materials available for the DSM-5-TR. You can find those here:

This association also provides courses and webinars through their learning center. Please note: some items are only available to members. To view free content, select "Free to all learners" from the Free Enrollment filter.

Citing the DSM in APA Style

References for diagnostic manuals follow the format for books, and references for entries in diagnostic manuals follow the format for edited book chapters. The American Psychological Association provides guidance for citing materials from the DSM-5-TR here: