The American Psychiatric Association is the United States’ main body of qualified and trainee psychiatrists. It is also the world’s largest professional psychiatric organization.
It began in 1844 as the Association of Medical Superintendents of American Institutions for the Insane. It adopted its current name in 1921. The organization holds annual conferences and publishes various books, journals, and pamphlets focused on a range of psychiatric topics. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders is among its key publications.
The American Psychiatric Association is known by the acronym, APA.