DSM-5 Diagnosis
Assessment Instruments
Differential Diagnosis
Screening Questions
Treatment Connections
100

This disorder involves excessive worry occurring more days than not for at least 6 months. 

What is Generalized Anxiety Disorder? 

100

This instrument measures depression, anxiety, and stress using 21 items.


What is the DASS-21?

100

Both panic attacks and heart attacks can include chest pain. What medical issue must be ruled out first?


What is a cardiac condition?

100

"Over the last two weeks, how often have you felt down, depressed, or hopeless?" screens primarily for this condition.

What is depression?

100

This evidence-based treatment is considered a first-line intervention for anxiety disorders.

What is CBT?

200

This trauma-related disorder requires exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence.

What is Posttraumatic Stress Disorder?

200

This 9-item measure screens for depression severity.

What is the PHQ-9?

200

This diagnosis may resemble ADHD but symptoms begin after a traumatic event.


What is PTSD?

200

"Do you find yourself worrying about many things most days?" screens for this disorder.

What is Generalized Anxiety Disorder?

200

This therapy was developed by Francine Shapiro and is commonly used for trauma.


What is EMDR?

300

This disorder includes persistent sadness, loss of interest, and symptoms lasting at least two weeks. 

What is Major Depressive Disorder?

300

This instrument is used to assess autism characteristics in adults and includes 80 items.

What is the RAADS-R?

300

This diagnosis may resemble autism due to social difficulties but is driven by fear of judgment.

What is Social Anxiety Disorder?

300

"Have you experienced a traumatic event that continues to affect you?" screens for this condition.

What is PTSD?

300

This therapy emphasizes psychological flexibility and acceptance.

What is ACT?

400

This disorder involves deficits in social communication and restricted, repetitive behaviors? 

What is Autism Spectrum Disorder?

400

This assessment is commonly used to screen for PTSD symptoms.


What is the PCL-5?

400

This disorder can be confused with Generalized Anxiety Disorder because both involve worry, but obsessions and compulsions are key features.

What is OCD?

400

"Do you have repetitive thoughts you cannot control?" screens for this disorder.


What is OCD?

400

This family therapy model focuses on emotional reactivity and differentiation.

What is Murray Bowen Family Systems Therapy?

500

This disorder is characterized by episodes of mania and often depression.

What is Bipolar 1 Disorder? 

500

This 7-item screening tool is commonly used for anxiety.

What is the GAD-7?
500

This disorder may be mistaken for depression because of low energy but includes periods of mania or hypomania.

What is Bipolar Disorder?

500

"Have there been times when you needed very little sleep and felt unusually energized?" screens for this condition.

What is Bipolar Disorder?

500

This approach helps clients identify and challenge cognitive distortions.


What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?