ICD does cover mental health issues and behavioral disorders but not
in as much depth as DSM. DSM was made for diagnosing while ICD
was developed for coding and actual reimbursement. The DSM is a
manual for the assessment and diagnosis of mental disorders and is
used by therapists, psychologists, and other behavioral and mental
health professionals. It has symptoms, descriptions, and other
guidelines for diagnosing mental disorders. DSM is needed because it
provides a reliable way for providers and clinical staff to
communicate about the patient's condition. It helps keep all staff on
the same page in the facility and in any other facilities the patient
may go to. DSM helps cause less confusion and mistakes when it
comes to the treatment the patient receives because the language or
communication used will be the same. The DSM does not include
information or instructions for the treatment of any disorder but
instead concentrates on helping the provider with deciding on an
accurate diagnosis and classification.
DSM-5 Frequently asked questions. (2022). Retrieved from American Psychiatric Association:
https://www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/practice/dsm/feedback-and-questions/
frequently-asked-questions#:~:text=DSM%20contains%20descriptions%2C%20symptoms
%2C%20and,the%20research%20of%20mental%20disorders.
