The Psychodynamic Diagnostic Manual, 3rd edition (PDM-3)

The Psychodynamic Diagnostic Manual (PDM), now in its third edition (PDM-3), was developed as a response to the limitations of descriptive diagnostic systems like the DSM and ICD, which primarily focus on observable symptoms while neglecting essential aspects of psychological functioning. The PDM offers a person-centered, multidimensional framework that integrates symptoms, mental functioning, and personality across three axes: Personality (P Axis), Mental Functioning (M Axis), and Symptoms (S Axis). Organized developmentally, the manual addresses clinical phenomena across the lifespan, emphasizing the subjective experience and unique psychological organization of individuals. Empirical studies support the PDM's clinical utility and predictive value, demonstrating its effectiveness in guiding personalized treatment planning beyond categorical diagnoses. Although grounded in psychodynamic theory, the PDM-3 is designed to be accessible across therapeutic orientations, providing a psychologically rich and clinically meaningful diagnostic approach. It aspires to present a “taxonomy of people” rather than merely a “taxonomy of disorders,” thus bridging descriptive psychiatry, psychodynamic insights, and empirical research.