Psychology Degree Psychological Disorders and Diagnosis 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which specifier distinguishes Bipolar I Disorder from Bipolar II Disorder in the DSM-5?
- Presence of hypomanic episodes vs. no manic episodes
- Full manic episodes vs. hypomanic episodes only (Correct answer)
- Psychotic features vs. no psychotic features
- Rapid cycling vs. standard cycling
Correct answer: Full manic episodes vs. hypomanic episodes only
Bipolar I requires at least one full manic episode, while Bipolar II is characterized by hypomanic episodes and major depressive episodes without full mania.
Question 2: Rosenhan's classic 'On Being Sane in Insane Places' (1973) study is most often cited to illustrate problems with:
- Reliability of neuropsychological testing
- Diagnostic reliability and the stigma of psychiatric labels (Correct answer)
- The effectiveness of deinstitutionalization
- Informed consent in research
Correct answer: Diagnostic reliability and the stigma of psychiatric labels
Rosenhan's study, in which pseudopatients were admitted and not detected, highlighted how diagnostic labels can persist and affect perception regardless of actual behavior.
Question 3: Which DSM-5 disorder involves preoccupation with one or more perceived defects in physical appearance that are not observable or appear slight to others?
- Illness Anxiety Disorder
- Body Dysmorphic Disorder (Correct answer)
- Somatic Symptom Disorder
- Excoriation Disorder
Correct answer: Body Dysmorphic Disorder
Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) features obsessive preoccupation with imagined or minimal appearance flaws, causing significant distress or impairment.
Question 4: The ICD-11, compared to the DSM-5, takes which general approach to diagnosing psychological disorders?
- More categorical with stricter polythetic criteria
- More dimensional and clinician-friendly with fewer required criteria (Correct answer)
- Eliminates specifiers entirely
- Focuses exclusively on neurobiology
Correct answer: More dimensional and clinician-friendly with fewer required criteria
The ICD-11 emphasizes clinical utility and dimensional thinking, reducing strict polythetic criteria to make diagnosis more accessible globally.
Question 5: A patient experiences excessive anxiety about multiple life domains on most days for over six months but cannot identify a specific feared object or situation. This best describes:
- Panic Disorder
- Specific Phobia
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder (Correct answer)
- Social Anxiety Disorder
Correct answer: Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is characterized by pervasive, uncontrollable worry about multiple topics lasting at least six months.
Question 6: Which term describes the co-occurrence of two or more diagnosable disorders in the same individual at the same time?
- Differential diagnosis
- Comorbidity (Correct answer)
- Syndromal overlap
- Dual diagnosis
Correct answer: Comorbidity
Comorbidity refers to the simultaneous presence of two or more distinct disorders, which is common in clinical populations (e.g., depression and anxiety).
Question 7: According to DSM-5, a diagnosis of Substance Use Disorder is based on:
- Presence of physical dependence alone
- A count of 11 possible criteria indicating impaired control, social impairment, risky use, and pharmacological criteria (Correct answer)
- Two failed attempts at quitting
- A positive urine toxicology screen plus self-report
Correct answer: A count of 11 possible criteria indicating impaired control, social impairment, risky use, and pharmacological criteria
DSM-5 Substance Use Disorder is diagnosed when at least 2 of 11 criteria within four symptom domains are met within a 12-month period.
Psychology Degree Psychological Disorders and Diagnosis 5
Which specifier distinguishes Bipolar I Disorder from Bipolar II Disorder in the DSM-5?