How do I cite the DSM in APA format?
How do I cite the DSM 5 in APA format?
How do I cite the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders in APA format?
Answer
Note: The general guidelines outlined here can be used for older DSM editions as well, including the DSM-IV-TR
You should cite the DSM as a reference book, as directed on page 324 of the APA Manual (7th edition).
For a reference work you will also want to cite the editor(s). With the DSM that is a little odd since they lump the editors in with the task force members that helped write the book and there is a good case for citing the work as having a corporate author: American Psychiatric Association.
Reference list
Print version
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: Author.
Online version
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596
If you are citing a specific entry you will need details on that entry as well. There are two ways you might possibly reference an individual entry:
Lead with entry title
Avoidant personality disorder. (2013). In Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596
Lead with APA as author
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Avoidant personality disorder. In Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596
In text
Format your in text citation as follows: (American Psychiatric Association, 2013) or ("Avoidant personality disorder," 2013). If quoting, be sure to include the page number(s) for your quote. If you will be citing the APA multiple times in-text, and are using an author lead in your reference list, you should list the first citation as (American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2013) and all subsequent entries as (APA, 2013).
Note: Answer prepared by Gabe with Western Washington University
For greater detail check out this citation guide (below) prepared by Dr. William F. Doverspike.