Learning how to cite DSM 5 in APA style is essential for mental health professionals, students, and researchers who reference diagnostic criteria. This guide walks through the key formats for both in-text citations and reference list entries using the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 7th edition.
Below is a structured summary of the most common citation formats you will need when working with the DSM-5.
| Type | Format | Example | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Book (Manual) | American Psychiatric Association. (Year). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Publisher. | American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). American Psychiatric Publishing. | Use this for general citation of the DSM-5 as a book. |
| Specific Criterion or Code | “Code” or criterion text, in Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed., p. XXX). | “Major depressive episode,” in Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed., p. 169). | Helpful when pinpointing exact diagnostic language within the manual. |
| Online Version (if no page) | American Psychiatric Association. (Year). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Name of Site. URL | American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). American Psychiatric Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596 | Use the DOI when available; otherwise provide the stable URL. |
| DSM-5-TR (2022 update) | American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed., text rev.). Publisher. | American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed., text rev.). American Psychiatric Publishing. | Use “text rev.” to indicate the DSM-5-TR update. |
How to cite DSM 5 in APA in text
When you refer to a diagnostic category or criteria set within the DSM-5 in the body of your paper, provide a brief in-text citation. For parenthetical citations, include the manual year and the page, table, or figure number where the criteria appear. Narrative citations can integrate the source name into the sentence itself, followed by the year in parentheses.
For specific codes or criteria phrases, include a short quoted term and the page number to help readers locate the exact language. These in-text pointers support clarity and allow quick lookup in the reference list.
Short quotations or exact criterion wording should be enclosed in quotation marks and accompanied by the page number, especially when accuracy is critical for diagnosis or research purposes.
Formatting the DSM 5 reference list entry
The reference list entry for the DSM-5 book appears in the reference list using standard APA book format. Capitalize only the first word of the title and subtitle, and use sentence case for all text. Include the edition number in parentheses after the full name, followed by the publisher in plain text.
When citing the DSM-5-TR, add “Text rev.” after the edition number to signal the revision. Use the publisher’s official name and, when available, the DOI for a stable, permanently linkable reference that meets modern APA standards.
If you are accessing the manual online through a provider’s platform, list the URL or DOI at the end. Omit generic labels such as “Retrieved from” unless the source may change over time, and always prefer a DOI when it is available.
APA DSM 5 specific criterion citation
Practical scenarios often require you to cite a specific criterion rather than the entire manual. In such cases, treat the criterion as a subsection reference and include the manual year and page number. This approach is especially useful in clinical notes, research instruments, or legal documentation where exact language matters.
APA style allows quotation of the criterion text when precision is required. Pair the quotation with the page number, and consider adding a parenthetical note such as “Manual, p. XXX” if space or flow demands it. Check institutional or publisher guidelines if you are preparing materials for publication or submission.
Key takeaways on DSM 5 APA citation
- Use the official 7th edition format unless your institution requires the 6th edition.
- Include “Text rev.” for DSM-5-TR sources.
- Cite specific criteria with the page number and quotation marks when accuracy is essential.
- Prefer a DOI over a URL for a stable, permanent reference.
- Integrate manual citations smoothly into clinical writing and research documentation.
FAQ
Reader questions
How do I cite a specific DSM-5 criterion in the text?
Use a parenthetical citation with the manual year and the page where the criterion appears, and place the criterion phrase in quotation marks, for example (“Avoidant personality disorder,” in Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, 5th ed., p. 666).
Do I need to include the DSM-5 title if I mention it in the sentence?
Yes, mention the manual as part of the sentence, then provide the year in parentheses; for example, Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (American Psychiatric Association, 2013) outlines the criteria for schizophrenia.
What do I do when citing the DSM-5-TR instead of DSM-5?
Use “Text rev.” after the edition number and treat it as a revised edition; for example, American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed., text rev.). Publisher.
How do I reference the DSM-5 online if I only have a URL?
Provide the stable URL at the end of the reference entry; omit “Retrieved from” unless the content is likely to change, and always prefer a DOI when available for reliability.