Study Guide to DSM-5®

It is an engaging and accessible Guide for the resident doing initial evaluations across emergency, outpatient, consult, and inpatient settings, navigating the transition from medical student to resident and beyond, and providing a sound foundation for preparing for board examinations.

The sections on differential diagnoses were consistently thoughtful. The utility of the presentations about different diagnostic classes seemed useful for both familiar diagnoses (such as major depressive disorder) and the new diagnostic additions to the DSM-5 (such as disruptive mood dysregulation disorder).

There are rich and valuable clinical descriptions similar to the narrative sections of DSM-5, along with excellent case presentations and discussions (often multiple cases for the same diagnosis) that do a nice job of demonstrating symptoms and how the clinician systematically gathers enough information to address each of the diagnostic criteria. Each chapter ends with a summary, diagnostic pearls, and self-assessment questions.

American Psychiatric Publishing produces many books such as this for individual and group learning about psychiatric evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment. This work ranks among the best and most timely. With the subtle (and some not so subtle) changes to the DSM-IV-TR, many clinicians are left with less time to review the new edition and commit it to memory. This book works well in conjunction with the DSM- 5 and enables readers to comprehend the valuable, high-yield information without feeling overwhelmed by the DSM-5 itself. Overall, it is a resource worth using as you begin to incorporate DSM-5 nomenclature into your clinical practice.

Laura Weiss Roberts, M.D., M.A., is Chairman and Katharine Dexter McCormick and Stanley McCormick Memorial Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University School of Medicine and Chief of Psychiatry Service at Stanford Hospital and Clinics, Stanford, California. She is also Editor-in-Chief of Academic Psychiatry.

Alan K. Louie, M.D., is Professor, Associate Chair, and Director of Education in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California.