NEURODEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS
A child presenting with significant inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity for at least 6 months, impacting functioning in at least two settings, would likely meet criteria for this disorder.
What is Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)?
For a diagnosis of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), symptoms must persist for longer than this duration following the traumatic event.
What is one month?
Is it Bipolar I or Bipolar II? The presence of this type of episode is the distinguishing factor.
What is a full manic episode?
A social worker feels pressured by an insurance company to give a more severe diagnosis to ensure a client receives treatment. This ethical principle is most at risk.
What is integrity or fidelity?
This V-code might be used when a client is dealing with a significant loss.
What is Bereavement?
This motor disorder is characterized by multiple motor tics and one or more vocal tics, though they don't necessarily need to occur concurrently.
What is tourette's Disorder?
Unlike PTSD, symptoms for Acute Stress Disorder must occur and resolve within this timeframe following a traumatic event.
What is three days to one month?
Is it Major Depressive Disorder or Persistent Depressive Disorder? This is the key difference in duration.
What is 2 weeks vs. 2 years?
Diagnosing a client based solely on one or two symptoms, without a comprehensive assessment, violates this ethical guideline.
What is competence or due diligence?
A V-code focusing on "Relationship Distress with Spouse or Intimate Partner" would fall under this broader category.
What are Problems Related to Family Upbringing or Other Psychosocial, Personal, and Environmental Circumstances?
Intellectual Disability severity is determined by this, rather than solely by IQ score.
What is adaptive functioning?
This anxiety disorder is characterized by recurrent unexpected panic attacks and at least one month of persistent concern about additional panic attacks or their consequences.
What is Panic Disorder?
Differentiating between Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder primarily involves determining if the client experiences these two core elements.
What are true obsessions and compulsions (ego-dystonic) versus a pervasive pattern of preoccupation with orderliness, perfectionism, and control (ego-syntonic)?
A social worker diagnoses a client with a disorder that carries significant stigma in their culture. Discussing the potential impact with the client aligns with this ethical consideration.
What is cultural competence or client self-determination?
This V-code would be relevant when a child is experiencing significant academic difficulties.
What is Academic or Educational Problem?
This neurodevelopmental disorder is characterized by persistent difficulties in the social use of verbal and nonverbal communication.
What is Social (Pragmatic) Communication Disorder?
Excessive worry and anxiety about a variety of events or activities, occurring more days than not for at least six months, is characteristic of this disorder.
what is Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?
A client presents with both anxiety and depressive symptoms. Before diagnosing both, a social worker should consider this possibility, where one condition's symptoms are part of the other.
What is comorbidity or a primary vs. secondary diagnosis?
If a client presents with symptoms that could fit both a Substance Use Disorder and a Depressive Disorder, the ethical social worker would ensure they rule out this first, as it could be causing the other.
What is substance-induced symptoms?
This V-code specifically addresses a history of physical or sexual abuse in childhood, even if it's not the primary focus of the current treatment.
What is Child Maltreatment and Neglect Problems?
To diagnose Autism Spectrum Disorder, an individual must show persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction across multiple contexts, as well as these two other types of symptoms.
What are restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities?
A specific phobia can be diagnosed when there is marked fear or anxiety about a specific object or situation, leading to active avoidance, and this type of distress or impairment.
What is clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning?
Is it Schizophrenia or Schizophreniform Disorder? The duration of the symptoms is the key differentiator.
What is 6 months or more vs. 1 to 6 months?
The DSM-5-TR explicitly includes discussions on the impact of racism and discrimination in diagnosis. This addition aims to address concerns about this ethical principle in assessment.
What is justice or non-discrimination?
When an individual is having difficulty adjusting to a new environment or life stage, this broad V-code could be applied.
What is Acculturation Difficulty or Problems Related to Other Psychosocial, Personal, and Environmental Circumstances?