NIMH abandons DSM in favor of RDoC

Tom Insel, NIMH director, announces that NIMH will no longer fund research based on DSM categories, endorsing RDoC as an alternative framework.

Classifying mental disorders is inherently difficult because psychopathology does not respect neat boundaries. The debate between categorical and dimensional models reflects a fundamental tension in psychiatry: the practical need for clear diagnoses to guide treatment versus the scientific recognition that the psychopathological spectrum is continuous.

The 2010s were the era of open science, the replication crisis, and data democratization. Psychology reinvented its methods and emerged as a leader in science reform. Meanwhile, social media transformed human relationships and raised new questions about mental health.

Significance: This milestone significantly contributed to the development of psychology as a science and profession, influencing research, clinical practice, or public policy.