Which statement is true regarding the DSM?

• A. The DSM provides standardized criteria for diagnosing mental health disorders
• B. It prescribes medications
• C. It is used only for billing
• D. It does not influence diagnosis

Answer: (A)

The DSM’s main function is to provide standardized criteria for diagnosing mental health disorders. Clinicians use specific symptom groups, required durations, and levels of impairment to determine whether an individual meets the criteria for a particular diagnosis. This shared framework helps ensure consistency across different clinicians, settings, and time, which supports clear communication and reliable research and treatment planning. The DSM does not prescribe medications or dictate treatment decisions; that comes from clinical judgment and evidence-based guidelines. It’s also not used only for billing—billing involves codes that map to diagnoses, often via ICD, but the DSM itself is a diagnostic reference, guiding how diagnoses are identified rather than how they are billed.