The Pocket Guide to the DSM-5® Diagnostic Exam

About the Book

The Pocket Guide to the DSM-5® Diagnostic Exam by Abraham M. Nussbaum is a practical and comprehensive clinical reference designed to help mental health professionals develop effective psychiatric interviewing and diagnostic assessment skills. Based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), the book provides a structured approach to understanding psychiatric symptoms, gathering relevant clinical information, and evaluating mental health conditions.

The book offers a systematic guide to conducting a comprehensive psychiatric diagnostic examination, beginning with establishing a therapeutic relationship and understanding the patient's presenting concerns. It explains essential interviewing techniques, the importance of obtaining a detailed psychiatric history, and methods for identifying symptoms that may indicate specific mental disorders. Readers are introduced to practical questions and assessment strategies that support organized clinical conversations and informed diagnostic reasoning.

A major strength of this guide is its organized presentation of diagnostic interviewing questions across the major categories of DSM-5 mental disorders. It helps clinicians explore emotional, behavioral, cognitive, and psychological symptoms while considering relevant personal and clinical information. The book also discusses the changes introduced in DSM-5 and their significance for psychiatric assessment and clinical practice.

Written in an accessible, easy-to-use format, this pocket guide combines clinical knowledge with practical interviewing techniques. Its structured approach makes it particularly useful for professionals who need a reliable reference during patient assessments, clinical training, and educational activities.

Ideal for psychiatrists, psychologists, psychiatric residents, medical students, mental health counsellors, and behavioral healthcare professionals, The Pocket Guide to the DSM-5® Diagnostic Exam serves as a valuable resource for strengthening diagnostic interviewing skills and developing a more comprehensive understanding of psychiatric evaluation.

About the Author – Abraham M. Nussbaum, MD, MTS

Abraham M. Nussbaum is an accomplished American psychiatrist, medical educator, researcher, and author specializing in psychiatric diagnosis, clinical interviewing, and mental healthcare education. He has made significant contributions to improving the way mental health professionals conduct diagnostic assessments while maintaining a compassionate, patient-centered approach to treatment.

Dr. Nussbaum serves as an Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Assistant Dean of Graduate Medical Education at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. He has also served as Chief Education Officer at Denver Health in Colorado, where he has contributed to medical education, clinical training, and the development of healthcare professionals.

His academic and professional work focuses on psychiatric assessment, diagnostic interviewing, medical education, and the importance of establishing strong therapeutic relationships between clinicians and patients. He developed an award-winning curriculum for patient interviewing, which helped form the foundation of his widely recognized book, The Pocket Guide to the DSM-5 Diagnostic Exam.

Dr. Nussbaum is also the author of The Finest Traditions of My Calling: One Physician's Search for the Renewal of Medicine, in which he explores the human, ethical, and professional dimensions of medical practice. His writing emphasizes the importance of understanding patients as individuals rather than simply focusing on their diagnoses.

Through his teaching, research, clinical experience, and publications, Abraham M. Nussbaum continues to contribute to psychiatric education and the advancement of compassionate, evidence-informed mental healthcare.