How to Cite the DSM–5 in APA Style (UPDATED)

Note: For examples and guidelines for citing the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders in seventh edition APA Style, see the Diagnostic Manual References page on the APA Style website. 

The examples in the following blog are in sixth edition APA Style.

by Jeff Hume-Pratuch

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.; DSM–5) has finally arrived! Here’s how the reference list entry should look:

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Washington, DC: Author. Text citation: (American Psychiatric Association, 2013)

Individual chapters and other parts of the DSM–5 have been assigned DOIs. If you used the online edition of the DSM, give the DOI in the publisher position.

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Cautionary statement for     forensic use of DSM-5. In Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.     http://dx.doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596     .CautionaryStatement Text citation: (American Psychiatric Association, 2013)

Here’s how it would look when used in your narrative:

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.; DSM–5; American Psychiatric Association, 2013) is the most widely accepted nomenclature used by clinicians and researchers for the classification of mental disorders.

Once introduced, the acronym DSM–5 can be used instead of the title and edition:

The DSM–5’s classification involves a shift from the traditional categorical approach to a dimensional approach. The changes involving the removal of the legal problems criterion and the addition of a craving criterion were retained in the final revision of the diagnostic criteria (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).

If you decide to use an acronym for the author, introduce it at first reference:

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.; DSM–5; American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2013) is the most widely accepted nomenclature used by clinicians and researchers for the classification of mental disorders. . . . The changes involving the removal of the legal problems criterion and the addition of a craving criterion were retained in the final revision of the diagnostic criteria (APA, 2013).

UPDATE: The post has been revised to reflect the fact that there is no DOI for the entire DSM–5; each chapter has its own DOI (9/4/2013). The place of publication has also been updated (9/22/2014).