background The dsm-5 received both praise and criticism following its publication in May 2013. Some blamed the dsm classification system for the unsatisfactory diagnostic system within psychiatry. Over the last 30 years or so there have been no major breakthroughs in our field and there has been no reduction in the number of mental health problems in Western society. It is time for a change; the question is whether dsm-5 will succeed in bringing about this change. aim To update and analyse the structural, diagnosis-independent changes that have been incorporated in dsm-5. method We discuss the changes. results The most important structural, diagnosis-independent changes include: 1. the separate classification of disorders that begin in childhood from those that begin in adolescence has been abolished; 2. the multi-axial system has disappeared; 3. the approach has become more dimensional, which allows for the assessment of the severity of a disorder. conclusion In the dsm-5 there are clear signs that a transformation of our psychiatric assessment system has begun; this can only be seen as a positive development, but is probably just the tip of the iceberg. Further changes are likely to occur, some in the near future, others in the long term.