A classification system developed by the American Psychiatric Association that specifies behavior criteria for determining a diagnosis based on clinical observation. As of this writing, DSM-IV is the latest edition.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of the American Psychiatric Association. It categorizes mental disorders and their descriptive characteristics to assist in their diagnosis. It is now in its fourth edition (DSM-IV).
A manual published by the American Psychiatric Association developed by psychiatrists to guide psychiatric diagnoses.