FOUNDATIONS
ASSESSMENT
DSM CONCEPTS
DIAGNOSTIC CATEGORIES
TREATMENT & SYSTEMS
100

This term refers to a breakdown in cognitive, emotional, or behavioral functioning that is unexpected in cultural context and causes distress or impairment.

Psychological dysfunction

100

A description of an individual’s mental functioning at a specific point in time.

Mental Status Exam (MSE)

100

This manual provides diagnostic criteria for mental disorders.

DSM-5

100

Disorders characterized by mood disturbance without the presence of mania.

Depressive disorders

100

A therapeutic roadmap designed to improve functioning and reduce symptoms.

Treatment plan

200

The scientific study of psychological disorders.

Psychopathology

200

Awareness of person, place, time, and surroundings is referred to as this.

Sensorium

200

This HIPAA-approved system is used for diagnostic coding and billing.

ICD-10-CM

200

Disorders defined by changes in energy and activity levels, including mania or hypomania.

Bipolar and related disorders

200

Movement through levels of care from most to least restrictive.

Continuum of care

300

This term refers to the percentage of a population that currently has a disorder.

Prevalence

300

An evaluation that examines biological, psychological, and social factors influencing behavior.

Biopsychosocial history

300

Conditions that are not mental disorders but are relevant to treatment planning.

V codes

300

Disorders involving fear, anxiety, and related physiological symptoms.

Anxiety disorders

300

The movement of individuals with severe mental illness from institutions to community care.

Deinstitutionalization

400

Multiple pathways leading to the same psychological outcome describes this concept.

Equifinality

400

Symptoms experienced as distressing and inconsistent with self-image are described as this.

Ego-dystonic

400

Evaluating symptoms based on frequency, duration, and severity rather than strict categories.

Dimensional assessment

400

Disorders involving intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors not primarily driven by anxiety.

Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders

400

A legal concept guaranteeing access to appropriate mental health services.

Right to treatment

500

The presence of two or more psychological disorders occurring at the same time.

Comorbidity

500

Clinical hypotheses developed from assessment data to guide treatment planning.

Case conceptualization

500

The process of distinguishing between disorders with similar symptom presentations.

Differential diagnosis

500

Disorders that result from exposure to traumatic or stressful events.

Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorders

500

A legal term describing severe emotional or thought disturbances impacting safety or functioning.

Mental illness (legal concept)

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