Special report: DSM-IV: overview and examination of major changes.

The American Psychiatric Association published the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-IV) in May 1994. Referred to by some in the popular media as the mental health profession's diagnostic bible, the decisions reflected in this fourth edition are likely to shape diagnostic practice and education and may impact on treatment approaches as well. This article describes the goals and process involved in preparing this document, examines the major changes from DSM-III-R to DSM-IV and comments on the relevance of DSM-IV to psychiatric/mental health nursing.