DSM

This comprehensive history explores the evolution of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), often dubbed "psychiatry's bible," tracing its development from a little-known publication to a central authority in mental health diagnosis. Allan V. Horwitz details how the DSM has become deeply embedded in societal, medical, and cultural contexts, influenced by various professional, political, and advocacy groups over decades. The book reveals the manual’s role not only as a reflection of psychiatric knowledge but also as a product shaped by ongoing social and ideological conflicts.