2.3 Specifiers
Specifiers are new in the DSM 5
- New to the DSM 5, is the use of “specifiers”—when provided in the DSM 5, specifiers apply to the client’s current presentation and ONLY when full criteria for a disorder have been met. Specifiers adds specificity to a diagnoses, they tell us the following information
- Course— e.g., in partial remission
- Severity—e.g., mild, moderate, severe
- Frequency—e.g., two times per week
- Duration—e.g., minimum duration 6 months
- Descriptive., features—with poor insight
- Two alternative catchall specifiers
- Other Specified Disorders—symptoms are clinically significant but DO NOT MEET full criteria for a disorder (must give reason)
- Unspecified Disorder—presentation is clinically significant and does NOT MEET the full criteria for a disorder, and the clinician chooses not to specify the reason—insufficient information
- Two alternative catchall specifiers