Rating: 
Summary: Use DSM Jr. and leave your hefty DSM home on the bookshelf!
Review: The Quick Reference to the Diagnostic Criteria from DSM-IV-TR (aka DSM Jr.) is a welcome addition to the office, briefcase, or backpack of any mental health professional or student. The text presents only the most crucial information needed to make a diagnosis. Background information on each disorder, such as prevalence, course of the disorder, and pointers on differential diagnosis are eliminated in favor of being concise. Unfortunately, Appendix A, which contains the Decision Trees for Differential Diagnosis, is noticeably absent from the DSM Jr. Personally, I like having the assistance of a visual aid in the form of a forced choice flow chart when making a tough choice between similar diagnoses. The decision not to include Appendix A in the DSM Jr. is the sole reason why I can only give this text only 4 out of 5 stars. The process of editing the hefty 943 pages of the DSM-IV-TR and then transforming it into a svelte 370 page Quick Reference book is a tough job. However, the information contained in the often forgotten Appendix section can sometimes be more useful than some of the information found in the main body of the text.
Rating: 
Summary: New and Improved
Review: There aren't enough differences in the TR version to buy it if you already have a DSM-IV. Of course, if you're getting your first copy it is best to start out with the most recent edition.The main thing that I would like to encourage you to do is to buy this desk reference edition as opposed to the full size edition. Most anything you would need to understand and to make appropriate diagnoses is included in the desk reference. It comes in a size that you can carry around with you wherever you go and is therefore not burdensome like the "full size" DSM. My desk reference has been a "life-saver" many times.
Rating:
Summary: New and Improved
Review: There aren't enough differences in the TR version to buy it if you already have a DSM-IV. Of course, if you're getting your first copy it is best to start out with the most recent edition. The main thing that I would like to encourage you to do is to buy this desk reference edition as opposed to the full size edition. Most anything you would need to understand and to make appropriate diagnoses is included in the desk reference. It comes in a size that you can carry around with you wherever you go and is therefore not burdensome like the "full size" DSM. My desk reference has been a "life-saver" many times.
Rating:
Summary: a lean, mean DSM-IV-TR
Review: This book is the less intimidating version of the complete "DSM-IV-TR". It's a no nonsense summary of the salient points of the complete text, and in that sense it's somewhat more practical and quicker to use. Professionals in the field of psychiatry may want to keep it handy. Also, for those outside the field of psychiatry, it could also be considered as an alternative to buying the complete "DSM-IV-TR", though I would suggest the complete book for those most interested in getting a thorough look at the bible of psychiatry. Avery Z. Conner, author of "Fevers of the Mind".
Rating: 
Summary: wonderful!
Review: This is the bible of psychiatry. And deservedly so. All you need to know about life is right here, in this tiny little volume. It is an intelligent, thoughtful and profound description of homo sapiens. I fail to understand those who suggest that the DSM is in any way problematic - they should probably get their head examined. This book makes me glad to be alive! I join the 200 voters below in an unequivocal thumbs up for this masterpiece.
Rating:
Summary: Great as Quick DSM Reference
Review: This reference guide is a great addition to any medical professional's or student's library. It is very helpful in quickly gathering information regarding a particular mental disorder or for symptons based look-ups. In life we meet thousands of people with their own manners, quirks and habits. It is fascinating to see how some of them fall into a pre-defined psychological category based on their outwardly symptoms. Using the DSM Desk Ref. you can quickly get information regarding a particular disorder. Please keep in mind that this guide is simply that, A Guide. The psychiatric community is still doing research continualy on the world around us and making changes to their perspectives as well as ours. The DSM only accounts for the information gathered at the time of publication and is soley based on the research of those that had a hand in its finished product. For example, when the DSM-I came out in 1952 is listed only 66 disorders. The DSM-IV, which was published in 1994, lists around 400 disorders and allows for better usuage with decision trees and the like. I for one am very curious to see how the DSM-V differs from today's views... Even with these constraining factors, it is the de facto standard in the Psychiatric community and well worth having by your side.
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