Guidelines for Making Changes to DSM
The DSM-V Work Group members have been progressively advancing their discussions toward finalizing their proposed draft diagnostic criteria for DSM-V. To aid in their deliberations, guidelines were developed to ensure the experts were consistent in applying an empirical and systematic decision-making framework. This includes provisions on how to assess whether an existing disorder should be proposed for deletion, whether a new disorder should be proposed for inclusion, and how to determine if sufficient evidence exists to support a proposed change. These guidelines for change, which are described in detail below, evolved from an initial proposal from DSM-V Work Group Chairs Katharine Phillips, M.D., and Jan Fawcett, M.D., and were further developed by Kenneth Kendler, M.D., DSM-V Task Force Chair David J. Kupfer, M.D., and DSM-V Research Director William E. Narrow, M.D., M.P.H. Although the work group members have been instructed to use these guidelines actively in their discussions, these principles are not to be construed as “rules” that are inflexible or unalterable. As they receive feedback from the task force and from the work groups themselves, the authors have updated these guidelines and will continue to do so throughout the development process. The entire DSM-V Task Force has reviewed and approved these guidelines and will be made aware of any subsequent changes. Although the principles below may fluctuate somewhat over the course of the DSM-V timeline, the set of ideals and standards they represent, and to which each DSM-V Work Group is striving to meet, will remain constant.
Guidelines for Making Changes to DSM