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DSM-IIIwas published in 1980.1Seven years later,DSMIII-Revised (DSM-III-R) was published.2Less than one year after the publication ofDSM-III-R, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) announced its intention to publishDSM-IVby the end of 1992 (Psychiatric News, Jan 15, 1988, p 1). Thus, a five-year interval will separate the publication ofDSM-III-RandDSM-IV. The thesis of this essay is that five years is insufficient for the accumulation of an adequate database to guide the developers ofDSM-IV. Moreover, the publication of threeDSMeditions within 12 years will result in diagnostic subdivisions within both the research and clinical communities, which will impair progress in the development of a valid classification. DSM-IV: THE GOAL AND ITS FULFILLMENT The chairperson of the task force for the development ofDSM-IV, Allen Frances, MD, is advocating a conservative approach toward changing theDSM-III-Rcriteria such that only those changes
Mark Zimmerman (Thu,) studied this question.