List the positive attributes of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5).

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The positive attributes of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), are as follows:

(a) The DSM-5 provides comprehensive and relatively precise definitions for more than 200 disorders. By following the criteria presented in the DSM-5 classification system, diagnosticians use clients' reported symptoms to identify the specific problem the clients are experiencing.

(b) The DSM-5 takes an atheoretical approach to identifying psychological disorders, meaning it does not rely on any particular theoretical perspective. Consequently, it is primarily descriptive and attempts to avoid suggesting an underlying cause for an individual's behavior and problems. Instead, it seeks to paint a picture of the behavior that is being displayed.

(c) DSM does not use the term neurotic-a label commonly used by people in their everyday descriptions of abnormal behavior-as a category. Because the term "neurosis" refers to problems associated with a specific cause based in Freud's theory of personality, it is not included in DSM-5.

(d) The DSM-5 allows communication between mental health professionals of diverse backgrounds and theoretical approaches.

(e) Precise classification enables researchers to explore the causes of a problem. Without reliable descriptions of abnormal behavior, researchers would be hard pressed to find ways to investigate the disorder.

(f) The DSM-5 provides a kind of conceptual shorthand through which professionals can describe the behaviors that tend to occur together in an individual.

(g) The DSM-5 has an important influence on the way in which mental health professionals view psychological disorders. It has increased both the reliability and the validity of diagnostic categorization. In addition, it offers a logical way to organize examination of the major types of mental disturbances.

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