Psychology Degree Psychological Disorders and Diagnosis Questions and Answers Flashcards

A patient experiences recurrent, unexpected panic attacks followed by at least one month of persistent concern about additional attacks. Which disorder does this describe?

Answer: Panic Disorder

Panic Disorder requires recurrent unexpected panic attacks plus at least one month of persistent worry about future attacks or maladaptive behavioral changes.

Which defense mechanism involves redirecting emotions from a threatening target to a less threatening one?

Answer: Displacement

Displacement involves shifting emotional responses from a dangerous or unacceptable object to a safer substitute.

In the DSM-5, what minimum duration of symptoms is required for a diagnosis of Schizophrenia?

Answer: Six months

Schizophrenia requires continuous signs of the disturbance for at least six months, including at least one month of active-phase symptoms.

Which disorder involves excessive anxiety and worry about being separated from major attachment figures, and is classified as an anxiety disorder in the DSM-5?

Answer: Separation Anxiety Disorder

Separation Anxiety Disorder involves developmentally inappropriate and excessive fear or anxiety about separation from attachment figures.

What is the key feature that differentiates Bipolar I Disorder from Bipolar II Disorder?

Answer: Bipolar I includes at least one manic episode while Bipolar II involves hypomanic episodes only

Bipolar I requires at least one full manic episode, whereas Bipolar II involves hypomanic episodes paired with major depressive episodes but no full mania.

Which assessment tool uses a multi-axial system and was the standard diagnostic classification prior to the DSM-5?

Answer: DSM-IV-TR

The DSM-IV-TR used a five-axis diagnostic system that was eliminated when the DSM-5 transitioned to a non-axial approach.