13 Description and Use of the DSM-V-TR

What exactly is the DSM V-TR?

When looking to treat a client that suffers from a behavioral disorder, as a clinician, you will want to familiarize yourself with the DSM-5-TR (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision) as it is a comprehensive diagnostic manual used for classification of mental disorders published by the American Psychiatric Association. It is important that you are able to identify any other mental health disorders that might accompany a behavioral addiction, for example, a client may suffer from obsessive compulsive disorder, that commonly occurs alongside a behavioral disorder, like compulsive hoarding While the DSM-V TR can be used to diagnose mental health disorders, it has a variety of uses in the field of mental health services:

• Diagnostic Tool: Provides standardized criteria for diagnosing mental disorders, ensuring consistency and reliability across different practitioners and settings.
• Clinical Utility: Assists mental health professionals in developing treatment plans, understanding potential prognoses, and communicating about disorders with patients and other professionals.
• Research: Facilitates research on mental health by providing a common language and criteria for identifying and studying mental disorders.
• Education: Used in training and education for students and professionals in psychology, psychiatry, social work, and other related fields.
• Policy and Insurance: Helps inform public health policy and is often used by insurance companies to determine coverage for various mental health services.

The “TR” (Text Revision) in DSM-5-TR indicates that this edition includes updates to the text, providing the latest information and research findings relevant to the diagnostic criteria and descriptions.

Addictions Counselors & The DSM -5

As an addiction counselor, you may find yourself working with clients that have pre-exsisting mental health diagnosis, these are called co-occurring, or co-morbid disorders.  For example, you have a client that suffers from Major Depressive Disorder and was diagnosed by a physician, receives antidepressants to treat, and also uses substances to self-medicate. This patient will have comorbid disorders, which is two or more DSM-5 diagnosis.  In this case, your patient has MDD and SUD.

• Addictions counselors use the DSM-5 in several important ways to effectively assess, diagnose, and treat individuals with substance use disorders. Here are some specific uses:
• Diagnosis: Counselors use the DSM-5 criteria to accurately diagnose substance use disorders (SUDs). The DSM-5 provides specific criteria for different types of SUDs, such as alcohol use disorder, opioid use disorder, and others, based on patterns of behavior and substance use.
• Assessment: The DSM-5 helps counselors conduct comprehensive assessments by providing a structured framework to evaluate the severity of the disorder, the presence of co-occurring mental health conditions, and the impact on the individual’s functioning.
• Treatment Planning: Using the DSM-5, counselors can develop tailored treatment plans that address the specific needs of the individual. The severity of the disorder (mild, moderate, or severe) guides the intensity and type of intervention required.
• Communication: The standardized language and criteria in the DSM-5 allow counselors to communicate effectively with other healthcare professionals, including psychiatrists, psychologists, and primary care providers, ensuring a coordinated approach to treatment.
• Insurance and Documentation: Accurate diagnosis according to DSM-5 criteria is often necessary for insurance reimbursement and for documenting the necessity and progress of treatment. It helps in securing coverage for various therapeutic services and interventions.
• Education and Advocacy: The DSM-5 provides a foundation for educating clients and their families about the nature of substance use disorders, their symptoms, and treatment options. It also supports advocacy efforts by highlighting the medical and psychological basis of SUDs.

Research and Evidence-Based Practice: The DSM-5 criteria are used in research to study the prevalence, causes, and treatment outcomes of substance use disorders. This research informs evidence-based practices that counselors can implement in their work. By using the DSM-5 in their practice and therapy intake sessions, addictions counselors can provide accurate diagnoses, create effective treatment plans, and ensure that their interventions are based on the latest scientific understanding of substance use disorders. Since research is continually emerging regarding addiction, it is wise to use the DSM-5 as a reference and guide when managing your client’s treatment plan.

reference

Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (2024) American Psychiatric Association. Retrieved from https://www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/practice/dsm