Psychology Disorders
Ultimate Cheat Sheet
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Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
Diagnostic Criteria (DSM-5):
Five or more symptoms present during the same 2-week period and represent a change from
previous functioning; at least one of the symptoms is either (1) depressed mood or (2) loss of
interest or pleasure.
Symptoms cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other
important areas of functioning.
Key Symptoms:
Depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day.
Markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, activities most of the day, nearly
every day.
Significant weight loss when not dieting or weight gain, or decrease or increase in appetite nearly
every day.
Insomnia or hypersomnia nearly every day.
Psychomotor agitation or retardation nearly every day.
Fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day.
Feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt nearly every day.
Diminished ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness, nearly every day.
Recurrent thoughts of death, recurrent suicidal ideation without a specific plan, or a suicide
attempt or a specific plan for committing suicide.
Bipolar Disorder
Key Features:
Characterized by mood swings between periods of intense highs (mania or hypomania) and lows
(depression).
Bipolar I Disorder:
, At least one manic episode. May be preceded or followed by hypomanic or major depressive
episodes.
Bipolar II Disorder:
At least one hypomanic episode and at least one major depressive episode. No history of a full
manic episode.
Cyclothymic Disorder:
For at least 2 years (1 year in children and adolescents), there have been numerous periods with
hypomanic symptoms and numerous periods with depressive symptoms that do not meet the
criteria for a major depressive episode.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Diagnostic Criteria (DSM-5):
Excessive anxiety and worry (apprehensive expectation), occurring more days than not for at
least 6 months, about a number of events or activities (such as work or school performance).
The individual finds it difficult to control the worry.
The anxiety and worry are associated with three (or more) of the following six symptoms:
Restlessness or feeling keyed up or on edge.
Being easily fatigued.
Difficulty concentrating or mind going blank.
Irritability.
Muscle tension.
Sleep disturbance.
Panic Disorder
Key Features:
Recurrent unexpected panic attacks.
A panic attack is an abrupt surge of intense fear or intense discomfort that reaches a peak within
minutes, and during which time four (or more) of the following symptoms occur:
Symptoms:
Palpitations, pounding heart, or accelerated heart rate
Sweating
Trembling or shaking
Sensations of shortness of breath or smothering
Feelings of choking
Chest pain or discomfort
Nausea or abdominal distress
Ultimate Cheat Sheet
Double click or double tap to edit
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
Diagnostic Criteria (DSM-5):
Five or more symptoms present during the same 2-week period and represent a change from
previous functioning; at least one of the symptoms is either (1) depressed mood or (2) loss of
interest or pleasure.
Symptoms cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other
important areas of functioning.
Key Symptoms:
Depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day.
Markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, activities most of the day, nearly
every day.
Significant weight loss when not dieting or weight gain, or decrease or increase in appetite nearly
every day.
Insomnia or hypersomnia nearly every day.
Psychomotor agitation or retardation nearly every day.
Fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day.
Feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt nearly every day.
Diminished ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness, nearly every day.
Recurrent thoughts of death, recurrent suicidal ideation without a specific plan, or a suicide
attempt or a specific plan for committing suicide.
Bipolar Disorder
Key Features:
Characterized by mood swings between periods of intense highs (mania or hypomania) and lows
(depression).
Bipolar I Disorder:
, At least one manic episode. May be preceded or followed by hypomanic or major depressive
episodes.
Bipolar II Disorder:
At least one hypomanic episode and at least one major depressive episode. No history of a full
manic episode.
Cyclothymic Disorder:
For at least 2 years (1 year in children and adolescents), there have been numerous periods with
hypomanic symptoms and numerous periods with depressive symptoms that do not meet the
criteria for a major depressive episode.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Diagnostic Criteria (DSM-5):
Excessive anxiety and worry (apprehensive expectation), occurring more days than not for at
least 6 months, about a number of events or activities (such as work or school performance).
The individual finds it difficult to control the worry.
The anxiety and worry are associated with three (or more) of the following six symptoms:
Restlessness or feeling keyed up or on edge.
Being easily fatigued.
Difficulty concentrating or mind going blank.
Irritability.
Muscle tension.
Sleep disturbance.
Panic Disorder
Key Features:
Recurrent unexpected panic attacks.
A panic attack is an abrupt surge of intense fear or intense discomfort that reaches a peak within
minutes, and during which time four (or more) of the following symptoms occur:
Symptoms:
Palpitations, pounding heart, or accelerated heart rate
Sweating
Trembling or shaking
Sensations of shortness of breath or smothering
Feelings of choking
Chest pain or discomfort
Nausea or abdominal distress
