What is the purpose of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM)?

The purpose of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) is to classify mental health disorders, which are crucial for diagnosis and treatment in the field of psychiatry and psychology. The DSM provides standardized criteria and terminology for mental health professionals to ensure a consistent and reliable approach to identifying mental health issues.

Aligning closely with the International Classification of Diseases (ICD), the DSM facilitates collaboration and communication across various healthcare settings, allowing professionals to utilize a common language when discussing mental health disorders. By providing detailed descriptions and diagnostic criteria, it assists clinicians in making appropriate assessments and treatment decisions.

The other options do not accurately reflect the primary purpose of the DSM: it is specifically designed for mental health disorders, rather than physical health conditions, healthcare expenditures, or treatment guidelines per se. While treatment protocols may be influenced by the DSM classifications, the manual itself focuses on the classification system rather than directly guiding treatment.