DSM-III

DSM-III, or the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Third Edition, is a standardized guide published in 1980 by the American Psychiatric Association. It provides clinicians with specific criteria for diagnosing mental health conditions, helping ensure diagnoses are consistent and based on observable symptoms. Its introduction marked a shift toward a more scientific and organized approach to mental health, with detailed descriptions and categories for various disorders. The DSM-III aimed to improve communication among professionals and advance research by creating a common language for mental health diagnoses.