Are You Crazy, or is it Just Tuesday?
I Can Quit Whenever I Want!
Tell Me About Your Mother...Again
Sir, This is an Assessment, Not a Confessional!
That's Not What the DSM Says!
100

According to the DSM-5-TR, which of the following is NOT one of the 13 domains in the Level 1 Cross-Cutting Symptom Measure for adults? 

A. Depression

B. Memory

C. Hallucinations

D. Personality Functioning

C. Hallucinations

100

A 16-year-old boy is assessed using the parent-rated DSM-5 Cross-Cutting Symptom Measure. The caregiver reports mild symptoms in the domains of inattention, sleep, and substance use. Which best describes the DSM-5-TR guidance?

A. Mild symptoms can be ignored unless severe impairment is reported.

B. Follow-up using Level 2 measures may be warranted in flagged domains.

C. Parent reports are less valid than self reports for this age group.

D. Any positive responses require an emergency referral. 

B. Follow-up using Level 2 measures may be warranted in flagged domains.

100

A client says, "I don't have a drinking problem. I just can't stop drinking." What might this demonstrate?

A. Excellent self-awareness

B. Denial

C. Advanced hydration techniques

D. a promising career as a bartender. 

B. Denial

100

The use of cross-cutting symptom measures in the DSM-5-TR reflects which type of assessment approach?

A. Categorical

B. Dimensional

C. Syndromic

D. Descriptive

B. Dimensional

100

The DSM-5-TR recognizes cultural syndromes, idioms of distress, and cultural explanations as:

A. Outdated concepts replaced by standard diagnostic categories.

B. Elements that should be avoided in formal psychiatric assessment.

C. Cultural Concepts of Distress that may influence symptom presentation and meaning.

D. Informal terminology used in psychoeducational contexts only. 

C. Cultural Concepts of Distress that may influence symptom presentation and meaning.

200

The DSM-5-TR recommends using the Culteral Formulation Interview (CFI) to:

A. Assess for malingering and factitious disorder

B. Determine eligibility for culturally specific treatment programs.

C. Explore cultural factors that influence an individuals experience and expression of distress.

D. Confirm diagnostic criteria in non-English-speaking populations

C. Explore cultural factors that influence an individuals experience and expression of distress.

200

What should a mental health professional do before diagnosing someone?

A. Consult a Magic 8 ball

B. Check their zodiac sign

C. Complete a mental health assessment

D. Ask their mother what's wrong with them. 

C. Complete a mental health assessment

200

A 23-year-old woman reports using heroin daily for the past year. She describes needing more to get the same effect, has tried and failed to stop, and continues use despite job loss. According to DSM-5-TR, what severity level of Opioid Use Disorder does she likely meet? 

A. Mild

B. Moderate

C. Severe

D. Not enough information

C. Severe

200

What is the BEST way to learn about someone's mental health symptom?

A. Stare intensely until they confess

B. Read their Facebook posts from 2012

C. Ask questions and actively listen

D. Shake then like a Magic 8 ball. 

C. Ask questions and actively listen

200

Which of the following is a required feature for a diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder in the DSM-5-TR.

A. Manic episodes lasting at least one week.

B. Elevated mood and increased energy

C. Depressed mood or anhedonia lasting at least 2 weeks.

D. Hallucination in the absence of mood symptoms. 

C. Depressed mood or anhedonia lasting at least 2 weeks.

300

A client scores above threshold on the “anger” domain of the Level 1 Cross-Cutting Symptom Measure. What is the next appropriate step based on DSM-5-TR guidance? 

A. Disregard the score unless the client reports interpersonal conflict 

B. Automatically diagnose Intermittent Explosive Disorder 

C. Use the level 2 Anger measure to further assess symptoms severity. 

D. Refer to inpatient psyiatric care. 

C. Use the level 2 Anger measure to further assess symptoms severity.

300

Which screening or assessment tool is noted in the DSM-5-TR as useful for monitoring symptom severity in mood disorders over time? 

A. MMPI-2

B. PHQ-9

C. WHODAS 2.0

D. Clinician-Rated Dimensions of Psychosis Symptom Severity.

B. PHQ-9

300

A person presents with a 2 yr history of chronic low mood and fatique, with no discrete depressive episodes. Which diagnosis fits best?

A. Bipolar 1 Disorder

B. Cyclothymic Disorder

C. Persistent Depressive Disorder

D. Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood

C. Persistent Depressive Disorder

300

What is the primary function of the DSM-5 Level 1 Cross Cutting Symptom Measure?

A. To confirm a single diagnosis

B. To track medication side effects

C. To screen across symptom domains for further clinical inquiry 

D. To measure IQ and cognitive functionin

C. To screen across symptom domains for further clinical inquiry

300

A client reports drinking 12 beers every night but insists they're just a social drinker. What should the assessor explore?

A. Whether their friends are imaginary

B. Their alcohol use frequency and quantity

C. Whether they get a bulk discount

D. Their qualifications as a professional beer tester. 

B. Their alcohol use frequency and quantity

400

The clinician asks, "How much alcohol do you drink?" and the client responds, "only on days ending in Y." How often are they drinking?

A. Only on weekends

B. Every day

C. During leap years

D. Whenever Mercury is in retrograde

B. Every Day

400

Which of the following best reflects a trauma-informed approach to diagnostic assessment, as described in the DSM-5-TR? 

A. Focusing only on observable behaviors rather than client self-report 

B. Limiting client disclosure to avoid emotional discomfort

C. Considering the role of past trauma when evaluating symptoms and functioning 

D. Avoiding discussion of trauma unless PTSD is suspected   

C. Considering the role of past trauma when evaluating symptoms and functioning

400

A client presents with sudden, intense episodes of fear accompanied by palpitations, sweating, and shortness of breath. These episodes are not triggered by any specific situation. What is the most likely diagnosis?

A. Generalized Anxiety Disorder

B. Specific Phobia

C. Panic Disorder

D. Adjustment Disorder

C. Panic Disorder

400

Which of the following behaviors would meet diagnostic criteria for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in DSM-5-TR.

A. Daily preoccupation with gaining weight despite being underweight.

B. Recurring thoughts about harming a loved one, followed by compulsive checking behaviors.

C. Persistent sadness and crying spells after bereavement.

D. Feeling compelled to steal small objects. 

B. Recurring thoughts about harming a loved one, followed by compulsive checking behaviors.

400

The DSM-5-TR notes that specifiers and subtypes are used to:

A. Differentiate disorders between the DSM and ICD systems

B. Guide insurance billing and claims

C. Increase diagnostic specificity by describing particular features of a disorder.

D. Identify which medications are required. 

C. Increase diagnostic specificity by describing particular features of a disorder.

500

The DSM-5-TR instructs that mood disorders can be specified "with peripartum onset". What does this mean?

A. Symptoms occur only during menstration

B. Symptoms occur during pregnancy or within 4 weeks postpartum.

C. Symptoms occur only in menopausal women.

D. Symptoms appear after a panic attack. 

B. Symptoms occur during pregnancy or within 4 weeks postpartum.

500

Which feature distinguishes a manic episode from a hypomanic episode in Bipolar disorders, according to DSM-5-TR? 

A. Presence of depressive symptoms

B. Episode length less than four days

C. Impairment in social or occupational functioning requiring hospitalization. 

D. Presence of grandiosity or inflated self-esteem. 

C. Impairment in social or occupational functioning requiring hospitalization.

500

Which of the following is a criterion for Substance Use Disorder according to the DSM-5-TR?

A. Persistent depressed mood during periods of abstinence

B. Use exclusively in social situations

C. Continued use despite recurrent social or interpersonal problems.

D. Tolerance without withdrawal. 

C. Continued use despite recurrent social or interpersonal problems.

500

According to DSM-5-TR, which of the following is a diagnostic criterion for Gender Dysphoria in adolescents and adults? 

A. Desire to engage in stereotypically masculine or feminine activities 

B. Persistent discomfort with assigned gender, without functional impairment

C. Incongruence between experienced and assigned gender lasting at least six months.

D. Refusal to undergo hormone therapy.

C. Incongruence between experienced and assigned gender lasting at least six months.

500

A client reports feeling anxious, depressed, and unable to sleep for three days. What is the LEAST appropriate clinical recommendation?

A. Assess their symptoms and sleep patterns

B. Explore possible substance use.

C. Recommend 6 energy drinks and a motivational podcast.

D. Evaluate their current mental health needs. 

C. Recommend 6 energy drinks and a motivational podcast.