Desk Reference to the Diagnostic Criteria From DSM-IV-TR Reviews

• Use DSM Jr. and leave your hefty DSM home on the bookshelf!

  
  By A3NQAT5J5ZC2MK on 2000-10-07
  The Quick Reference to the Diagnostic Criteria from DSM-IV-TR (aka DSM Jr.) is a welcome addition to the office, briefcase, or backpack of any mental health professional or student. The text presents only the most crucial information needed to make a diagnosis. Background information on each disorder, such as prevalence, course of the disorder, and pointers on differential diagnosis are eliminated in favor of being concise. Unfortunately, Appendix A, which contains the Decision Trees for Differential Diagnosis, is noticeably absent from the DSM Jr. Personally, I like having the assistance of a visual aid in the form of a forced choice flow chart when making a tough choice between similar diagnoses. The decision not to include Appendix A in the DSM Jr. is the sole reason why I can only give this text only 4 out of 5 stars. The process of editing the hefty 943 pages of the DSM-IV-TR and then transforming it into a svelte 370 page Quick Reference book is a tough job. However, the information contained in the often forgotten Appendix section can sometimes be more useful than some of the information found in the main body of the text.
  
  

• A Must-Have for Psychology Externs/Interns

  
  By A30GVCL7TH2DKK on 2000-09-30
  The Desk Reference to the DSM-IV TR is a small and portable reference book that is easy to carry and easy to comprehend. It is wonderful for psychology externs, interns, & residents who need quick access to DSM diagnoses. It was especially useful to me during the intake interviewing process to help with differential diagnosis. It provides concrete diagnostic criteria for each of the major mental disorders and incorporates the recent text revisions made by the American Psychiatric Association. Highly recommended to anyone in the psychiatric field!
  
  

• My constant companion

  
  By A27KNXAROMSJ7A on 2003-10-12
  The argument "diagnosis/no diagnosis" should be over with by now. A patient may be treated in a community mental health setting, then in a hospital, then elsewhere. The referring clinician needs to provide information about her difficulty, and diagnosis is a concise and helpful way of doing this. Her care will be paid for by an insurance company or a government entity, which usually (whether we like it or not) will ask for a number to ensure they have a disease that "meets criteria." Careful training in diagnosis is needed to ensure health professionals don't have a cavalier attitude towards the diagnoses they provide; but simply sticking to the criteria outlined in the IV-TR helps ward off such lack of carefulness. It also helps make it more likely that Dr. X in San Francisco is talking about the same thing when he says "schizophrenia, paranoid type" as Dr. Y in Virginia Beach when he says "schizophrenia, paranoid type." Such reliability is essential in our continued research on mental illness and substance abuse.

  That said, a clinician in a hospital or clinic setting who needs to understand or determine diagnosis can benefit from both the hardcover versions of the DSM-IV-TR and this spiral bound version. I myself have the hardbound DSM-IV, and instead of purchasing both TR's, simply purchased the spiral-bound DSM-IV-TR. The spiral bound is essential because, with so much use, a glued binding will quickly fall apart. As a clinician currently assigned to a county hospital screening site, I carry my little spiral book everywhere. It fits easily into my purse, but it's not so small that the print is hard to read. There is even a pull-out of all the diagnoses at the beginning that's handy to glance at or tack on the wall.

  You will need the hardbound because of the additional information, but if your work requires you to do evaluations in a variety of settings, or even if you know you will be referring to it often and don't want to be bothered getting the big one off the shelf, definitely purchase this one as well.

  Kelly L. Norman, ACSW
  
  

• New and Improved

  
  By A2Q60C3MLA2FIZ on 2001-12-29
  There aren't enough differences in the TR version to buy it if you already have a DSM-IV. Of course, if you're getting your first copy it is best to start out with the most recent edition.

  The main thing that I would like to encourage you to do is to buy this desk reference edition as opposed to the full size edition. Most anything you would need to understand and to make appropriate diagnoses is included in the desk reference. It comes in a size that you can carry around with you wherever you go and is therefore not burdensome like the "full size" DSM. My desk reference has been a "life-saver" many times.
  
  

• As a psychiatrist I abhor the DSM

  
  By A3A202APDFY2ZX on 2003-06-19
  Did you know that a bad hair day is a psychiatric condition? Hey look it up under adjustment disorder with anxiety! Anything in life that goes wrong and the baffling complexity wonder strife and beauty in the human condition all boiled down to neat little categories basically for insurance billing. It was interesting for me to observe in the late 80s that the diagnosis of major depression went up dramatically when insurance companies stopped paying for alcoholism and adjustment disorder of adolescence.

  This is a book written by people who want to categorize the uncategorizable. Kind of like that poetry book Robin Williams tore up in Dead Poets Society. You know, the one that came up with a formula for greatness of a poem. Sure some conditions like bipolar disorder seem to be somewhat genetic and discrete but most of this is just drawing fine lines through a fuzzy set.

  This book is a disgrace to the profession and part of the reason psychiatrists have a bad public image. It is the same mentality responsible for the overprescription of Ritalin...classifying normal variation or a societal adjustment as illness.
  
  

• Extremely Useful...Better than the big one
  By A31F1G0S4GXAKY on 2002-08-04
  I am a psychiatry resident and I find this book extremely useful. Its small, easy to carry around, very user friendly and helps for quick reference in all spheres. Much much better than carrying the larger DSM IV around. I highly recommend this for all mental health professionals.
  
  
• Same book as Quick Reference to the Diagnostic Criteria DSM
  By A2F58XC7EO2AIB on 2005-04-28
  This is the exact same book as the "Quick Reference to the Diagnostic Criteria from DSM-IV-TR". For some reason the APA has given the spiral edition of the book a different name than the paperback edition.
  
  
• A good reference with limitations
  By A2VB3IBQS0CHYL on 2006-03-11
  As the DSM revisions have grown in size since DSM-III, a quick reference for the larger, complete DSM-IV-TR is essential, and this book is good. However, the lack of a decision tree for differential diagnosis is problematic, given the similarity of many diagnostic categories (e.g. bipolar II and ADHD). If you are a professional using DSM, then this book works okay, given that many professionals quickly refer to the criteria for a difficult dx issue, or to cover certain criteria for insurance or ducumentation purposes. It is important to remember that DSM is so big because of a need for specific criteria to increase diagnostic reliability. A small reference like this helps with this "Chinese menu" approach ((i.e. a list of criteria defining each disorder) because it makes the lists easier to access. It goes without saying that spiral bound format is essential. Of course, a list of criteria doesn't equal a diagnosis in practice, so I recommend that anyone who seriously uses the DSM to get the Diagnostic Interview Schedule, or a similar resource, as an aid to making a reliable diagnosis via structured interview. I'd like to see an attempt at a combined DSM-IV-TR /DIS--which would give both the criteria, and structured interview methods to assess them.
  
  
• Student to Counselor
  By A2NLI1EWL267ZQ on 2005-07-28
  I'll be the first to admit, learning the criteria for all the diagnoses is difficult if not close to impossible. While the DSM is very helpful with all of its background, cultural, and statistics loaded information, it isn't essential for those already in the field. You already had to learn the basics before you completed your degree or licensure program. Now the concern is time and effort. This little guide is easy to navigate through, light-weight, and the spiral bound makes it easy to turn pages to compare between a couple of different classifications (be it BiPolar I Disorder or BiPolar II Disorder). I use this guide everyday at work - and leave that big book sitting on the shelf.
  
  
• Great as Quick DSM Reference
  By A2J5STC7T9Z10W on 2003-01-30
  This reference guide is a great addition to any medical professional's or student's library. It is very helpful in quickly gathering information regarding a particular mental disorder or for symptons based look-ups.

  In life we meet thousands of people with their own manners, quirks and habits. It is fascinating to see how some of them fall into a pre-defined psychological category based on their outwardly symptoms. Using the DSM Desk Ref. you can quickly get information regarding a particular disorder.

  Please keep in mind that this guide is simply that, A Guide. The psychiatric community is still doing research continualy on the world around us and making changes to their perspectives as well as ours. The DSM only accounts for the information gathered at the time of publication and is soley based on the research of those that had a hand in its finished product.

  For example, when the DSM-I came out in 1952 is listed only 66 disorders. The DSM-IV, which was published in 1994, lists around 400 disorders and allows for better usuage with decision trees and the like. I for one am very curious to see how the DSM-V differs from today's views...

  Even with these constraining factors, it is the de facto standard in the Psychiatric community and well worth having by your side.
  
  

• a lean, mean DSM-IV-TR
  By A1ZX985S49O7K6 on 2003-03-12
  This book is the less intimidating version of the complete "DSM-IV-TR". It's a no nonsense summary of the salient points of the complete text, and in that sense it's somewhat more practical and quicker to use. Professionals in the field of psychiatry may want to keep it handy. Also, for those outside the field of psychiatry, it could also be considered as an alternative to buying the complete "DSM-IV-TR", though I would suggest the complete book for those most interested in getting a thorough look at the bible of psychiatry. Avery Z. Conner, author of "Fevers of the Mind".
  
  
• format problem
  By A28D7NYCS8D88F on 2005-06-25
  nice and handy, but i don't like the spiral format. pages are flimsy and begin to rip and shear off shortly after purchase even with careful moderate use. just a waste of money. the only difference between the quick and the desk is the inclusion of the coding chart with the desk reference.
  
  
• The Spiral Binding Justifies the Cost
  By A1LJR5IS0B6ADX on 2007-05-01
  This is a great little book to have when searching for the criteria to diagnose and/or find the pathology to an individual's mental health status. This book is an abridged version of the DSM-IV-TR, meaning that a great deal of information isn't included. However, it is a desk friendly, light weight and includes most key elements. The unabridged version of the DSM-IV-TR could kill a dinosaur, so this book for regular use is much more practical.
  
  As for the spiral binding it is awesome, it allows the reader to flip back and forth and find the mood disorder, personality disorder, etc. very quickly. The book is a bit expensive (but then again what isn't?), but if the information will be utilized, it is well worth it.
  
  
• Don't Leave Home Without It.
  By A1WTCSBFHDKJMS on 2007-01-19
  Whoever thought to tame the massive DSM-IV-TR beast and put it into this handy, hand-held spiral format is a genius. This book has everything a busy clinician needs right at his/her fingertips.
  
  DSM classification chart, differential diagnosis decision tree, and a listing of the DSM-IV-TR appendixes make this handy little resource worth the price of admission.
  
  One cavaet: the clinician needs a fairly good working knowledge of "the big book" if this resource is to be of any clinical benefit, dare I say, if it is to be used responsibly. Think of this book as the Cliffs notes, and the actual DSM as the main text.
  
  I have used this book so much that, if it were not for the fact that it is spiral bound, the spine would have been worn out by now.
  
  A truly brilliant idea!
  
  
• Condensed, but not lost.
  By A1435P5AMCPB3X on 2006-08-30
  I actually use this version more than the big DSM IV TR because it is quicker to find things in. It is still a large book (over 900 pages), so it may not be a true pocket guide, but there is that version available also. However, if you do this everyday, this version can still fit in a pocket, and has all the ICD-9 codes for the pesky billing folks. Students could have this with them to learn at bedside the information they need to know for shelf and board exams. Resident psychiatrists, this should always be in you desk ready to go. Invest in this, 30 bucks well spent.
  
  
• Easy to carry around and stays open where you left it
  By A107D392AW9UW9 on 2006-11-12
  If you need to take your DSM with you, this one is usually sufficient. I prefer the spiral binding because the other format tends to close itself. It would be nice if the categories were easier accessible, for example with indentions on the side. I overcame this problem by marking the categories with small plastic tabs on the side.
  
  Overall great especially if you use it to look up criteria for diagnoses with which you are familiar.
  
  
  
• Great help for diagnostic purposes.
  By A2HASLBAJL9PVX on 2007-03-11
  The spiral bound copy of DSM-IV-TR is handy for carrying in a briefcase. This makes it useful wherever a counselor has therapy sessions.
  
  
• Desk Reference to the Diagnostic Criteria from DSM-IV-TR
  By A3T7273PREUPXH on 2006-03-23
  Perfect! Exactly what I was looking for and exactly what I wanted and needed.
  
  
• The quick guide that a therapist or Psychiatrist needs
  By A38QEATH3NODFM on 2006-08-14
  The full DSM-IV is the bible that modern Psychiatry is based around. The book is actually sprisingly a fair read and not to difficult to navigate. But, it is fairly large (943 pages). So how do you remedy this if you need the reference, you get the quick guide. It is perfect as a quick reference for the diagnositc criteria, as well as the ICD-9 codes for billing. This is perfect as well for Medical students to carry around in the pocket and quickly read criteria about their patient's diagnosis and rattle off quickly to their attending, scoring brownie points. They make this spiral bound edition, which is excellent because it holds up better than the bound edition, just for the fact that you will flip through this book a thousand times a day, especially if you are a student. So this is a great companion to the DSV-IV TR, and don't forget the conscise Kaplan and Saddock 10th edition as reference as well.
  
  
• Long Way Home
  By A2MM1SVUTOCTE4 on 2007-03-08
  The book arrived in good shape but it seemed to take several weeks to arrive. I ordered other items at the same time that were shipped by another vendor and they arrived in a day or so. I thought Amazon would be much better than an obscure company, but I was wrong. I would never order a book again, since I can go to a bookstore and have it in an hour.
  
  
• Very Helpful Book
  By AG13WCYLJCPSG on 2007-06-11
  This is a very helpful book and convenient also. Fits on desk well or can carry with you.
  
  
• VERY HANDY
  By AI3U9YEN2X6IX on 2007-10-28
  I love this book. I love the size of it. I love that all of the information that I need is neatly packed into this little book and so easy to find. I much prefer this to the full size manual. I don't even find the need for the full size manual with this book. I am a theraist and use the manual all of the time. However, since receiving this version, I have not looked at that big ole manual since.
  
  
• Spiral makes life easier
  By A1I8J3INEANFVY on 2007-11-25
  I love that this desk reference to the DSM-IV-TR is a spiral bound version as it makes flipping through it so much easier. This small, lightweight version is so much easier to carry around than the full DSM! I keep it on me at all times and love love love the spiral.
  
  
• A must have
  By A3JIJUJ3C4MQZW on 2007-12-02
  It's required to have for school psych. students and practitioners. The quick reference is a great asset to use along with this book.
  
  
• Essential Tool
  By A33N2UNLEVNIEU on 2008-02-12
  Well, if you are shopping for this. You have probably seen it. Yes, it is all you expect the DSM to be. It is small, light weight and has the most important diagnostic information.
  
  
• Great Buy
  By A3E7O769GQ0ZXZ on 2008-03-03
  The price was substantially lower than the local bookstore. This item is great for the student as well as a professional. The size is not too big yet not too small. Easy to carry around.
  
  
• reponsive
  By A2E1WA1AMRDOVU on 2008-05-02
  Once it was apparent my product order was lost in trasit a replacement was quickly shipped out and received. It was in great condition as expected.
  
  
• Well Pleased
  By A37MBSI7HLRU85 on 2008-06-06
  Desk Reference to the Diagnostic Criteria From DSM-IV-TR (Desk Reference to the Diagnostic Criteria from Dsm)
  
  Received as stated and on time.
  
  
• Sound Mind
  By A3TZ7UF0T80SR on 2008-08-05
  The book arrived in a timely manner and in excellent condition. I have not completely read the book as of yet, but it is an excellent resource guide and a valuable accessory to add to my library.
  
  
• Review of Pocket DSM IV
  By A2J8HLP0S0J7IN on 2008-08-31
  This reference manual is very well organized, comprehensive and portable. The front part has a "cheat sheet" that is very useful. A must-have for special education personnel, diagnostic clinicians, etc.
  
  

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