A DSM Primer

In this audio session, psychiatrist John Applegate explores the impact of the DSM-IV on how we understand and discuss psychiatric diagnoses. Applegate traces the manual’s historical development, its structure, and its evolving role in mental health conversations. He explains the DSM-IV’s axes and clusters in accessible terms, emphasizing that the manual serves more as a guiding map than a definitive answer. Whether you’re skeptical of labels or find comfort in a diagnosis, this session offers valuable context on the DSM’s uses, misuses, and its influence on how we classify complex human experiences.