Psychology Degree Psychological Disorders and Diagnosis Questions and Answers

Question 1

A 28-year-old client reports persistent, intrusive thoughts about contamination and feels compelled to wash their hands over 50 times a day.
These rituals consume several hours daily and cause significant distress, making it difficult to maintain a job.
Based on the DSM-5-TR, which diagnosis best fits this clinical presentation?

Accepted Answer

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Answer

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Answer

Specific Phobia, situational type

Answer

Body Dysmorphic Disorder

Question 2

A major change from the DSM-IV-TR to the DSM-5 was the removal of the multiaxial system. What was a primary rationale for this change?

Accepted Answer

To create a simpler diagnostic system that aligns more closely with the World Health Organization's International Classification of Diseases (ICD).

Answer

To reduce the influence of pharmaceutical companies on diagnostic criteria for personality disorders.

Answer

To introduce a new, separate dimensional approach for all childhood developmental disorders.

Answer

To simplify the diagnostic process primarily for insurance reimbursement and billing code purposes.

Question 3

Which of the following is considered a 'negative' symptom of schizophrenia?

Accepted Answer

Avolition

Answer

Auditory hallucinations

Answer

Delusional beliefs

Answer

Disorganized speech

Question 4

A client describes experiencing sudden, intense episodes of overwhelming fear that peak within minutes. During these episodes, they experience a pounding heart, shortness of breath, and a fear of dying or losing control. They have begun to avoid places where they fear an episode might occur, such as crowded malls. The client's symptoms are most indicative of which disorder?

Accepted Answer

Panic Disorder

Answer

Social Anxiety Disorder

Answer

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Answer

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Question 5

The diathesis-stress model is a widely used framework for understanding the etiology of psychological disorders. According to this model, a psychological disorder develops as a result of:

Accepted Answer

The interaction between a pre-existing vulnerability and a significant life stressor.

Answer

A purely environmental or sociocultural influence with no biological component.

Answer

A specific, identifiable genetic mutation that directly and solely causes the disorder's symptoms.

Answer

A learned association between a neutral stimulus and a maladaptive response through conditioning.

Question 6

Which of the following personality disorders is classified within Cluster B, a group often characterized by dramatic, emotional, or erratic behaviors?

Accepted Answer

Narcissistic Personality Disorder

Answer

Paranoid Personality Disorder

Answer

Avoidant Personality Disorder

Answer

Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder