DSM-V and Psych Resources

[cyberchicken001]

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Not sure if this was asked elsewhere, but with the relatively recent upgrade to DSM-V, how important is it to have up to date resources? Like is it worth it to shell out the extra money for the latest edition of first aid or case files or does it not really make much of a difference? Thanks!

 

[OnePunchBiopsy]

It does make a difference, since the names of some disorders have been changed and re-grouped. The psychiatry shelf exams this year were updated with the latest DSM V information. Some questions had the new disorders as the answer choices with the old names in parentheses, but there are many times this is not possible, i.e. Autism Spectrum Disorder (Asperger's Syndrome)---- see how that is not quite right?

Best of luck!

 

[Crayola227]

rule of thumb you should always be studying for USMLE out of the latest FA

no one buys the DSM unless they are seriously gunning for psych - even then, most of the psychs I know don't own a copy.

Like the above poster says you'll want to educate yourself on the differences for the shelf

 

[Bancrofti]

You might as well get the newest FA for Psych, but it isn't that big of a deal. The differences usually aren't that drastic and for most things you'd be able to figure them out even if seeing it for the first time (Hypochondriasis v. Illness Anxiety Disorder). Also, not sure if all attendings do it, but the ones at my program tended to emphasize what was new vs. what had been in previous versions.

 

[sloop]

It really doesn't matter. The people who write these questions know that this is a source of confusion during this period and have written the questions in such a way where it really does not matter. You will not be asked about subtypes of schizophrenia. You won't be given a high functioning autistic guy without language impairment and be asked to determine whether the diagnosis is ASD or aspergers. You won't be expected to decide whether someone can be classified as schizophrenic with a single Schneiderian First Rank Symptom.

It's a good question about when this stuff becomes fair game but I can say that as of a month or two ago, when I took the shelf, the questions were designed this way. I did very well on that exam and my version of FA Psych still used DSM-IV.

If you have two resources, though, all else equal go with the most recent one.

 

[sloop]

rule of thumb you should always be studying for USMLE out of the latest FA

no one buys the DSM unless they are seriously gunning for psych - even then, most of the psychs I know don't own a copy.

Like the above poster says you'll want to educate yourself on the differences for the shelf

I am "gunning" for psych (whatever that means). I don't own a copy of the DSM. I might buy one next year for reference but I think the obsession with it is kind of silly. It is important, in my mind, for three things mainly—standardized exams, insurance reimbursement, and psychiatric research. Other than that I have yet to see DSM distinctions be super important in patient care. From what I've seen, the patient gets treated the same whether they have "comorbid MDD and GAD" or "MDD with anxious distress."