DSM-5 main purpose: It provides standardized diagnostic criteria for psychiatric disorders.

DSM-5 main purpose: It provides standardized diagnostic criteria for psychiatric disorders.

• A. It describes etiologies exclusively
• B. It prescribes treatment protocols
• C. It measures IQ
• D. It provides standardized diagnostic criteria for psychiatric disorders

Answer: (D)

The main idea is that DSM-5 provides standardized diagnostic criteria for psychiatric disorders. It specifies exact symptoms, how long they must be present, and the level of impairment required for a diagnosis, which helps ensure that clinicians across different settings make consistent, comparable judgments. This standardization also supports clear communication, research comparisons, and appropriate insurance decisions, making it the central tool for identifying and classifying mental health disorders. It does not describe etiologies exclusively, prescribe treatment protocols, or measure IQ.

The main idea is that DSM-5 provides standardized diagnostic criteria for psychiatric disorders. It specifies exact symptoms, how long they must be present, and the level of impairment required for a diagnosis, which helps ensure that clinicians across different settings make consistent, comparable judgments. This standardization also supports clear communication, research comparisons, and appropriate insurance decisions, making it the central tool for identifying and classifying mental health disorders. It does not describe etiologies exclusively, prescribe treatment protocols, or measure IQ.