If you have been avoidant of opening your new DSM-5 and reviewing the changes, there is one reason to go ahead to check it out. The DSM-5 includes screening questionnaires in Section III of the book, which are also found on the DSM-5 website (http://www.psychiatry.org/practice/dsm/dsm5/online-assessment-measures) with additional measures not found in the book.
The assessments include adult, child, collateral informant, and clinician ratings, depending on the measure. There are general measures, disorder/area specific measures, severity measures, personality measures, measures for level of disability impairment, and cultural measures. These measures can be used to aid in diagnostic clarification, as well as to track changes across therapy sessions. The best part is they are free to use and conveniently available online.
Have a client receiving treatment for panic disorder? There is a symptom specific measure that can be given each session and compared to previous administrations to track changes, as well as provide a tangible example for the client showing his or her progress over time. Don’t forget to check out the DSM-5 website (www.dsm5.org) for updates to the manual. There is already a handful of updates available with changes to codes and errors in wording.
Danielle McNeill, M.S., M.A.
WKPIC Doctoral Intern