Final answer:
The manual called that contains the symptoms, definitions, and diagnoses for mental disorders is the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), with the DSM-5 being the latest edition published by the American Psychiatric Association in 2013.
Step-by-step explanation:
The manual that contains the symptoms, definitions, and diagnoses for mental disorders is known as the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). The most recent edition, the DSM-5, was published in 2013 by the American Psychiatric Association. This manual is a critical resource for clinicians and mental health professionals, as it outlines the criteria for diagnosing a wide range of mental health conditions, including substance use disorders, schizophrenia, major depression, anxiety disorders, and many more.
The process of diagnosing mental disorders using the DSM involves matching the presented symptoms with the criteria listed in the manual. Each disorder includes a set of diagnostic criteria that a person must meet in order to be diagnosed with that particular condition. As our understanding of mental health continues to evolve, new versions of the DSM are periodically released to reflect the latest research and clinical observations.