Dr. Maria Okendo

The DSM, which defines all mental health disorders, is key to diagnosing and treating mental illnesses.

The current edition, the DSM-5, was published in 2013.

Psychiatrist Dr. Maria Okendo is chair of the Future of DSM Strategic Committee.

She told reporters at a press conference that the next edition will address critiques of the manual.

She says future DSMs will factor in genetics, the environment, life experiences, and cultural identities.

The details of plans are published in five papers in the American Journal of Psychiatry.

Ritu Chatterjee, NPR News.