AMFTRB Exam: DSM Dx Exam With Questions and Correct Answers
ADHD must be diagnosed before age - Answer-12
Antisocial Personality Disorder vs. Narcissistic Personality Disorder - Answer-APD is a lifelong pattern of
disregard for the rights of others and social norms and lack of empathy, NDP is an inflated sense of self-
importance, a need for admiration, and lack of empathy.
Aphasia - Answer-impairment of language
Apraxia - Answer-impaired ability to carry out motor activities despite intact motor function
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) vs. Social Pragmatic Communication Disorder (SCD) - Answer-People
with autism repeat certain behaviors, have disruptive behaviors, and trouble with social interaction (not
necessarily speech). Individuals with SCD will NOT display these behaviors. People with SCD struggle to
adjust their communication based on the specific situation.
Bereavement vs. Major Depressive Disorder vs. Adjustment Disorder With Depressed Mood - Answer-
Bereavement is a normal emotional response to the loss of a loved one, MDD is a serious mental illness
characterized by severe and prolonged symptoms of depression, and Adjustment Disorder with
Depressed Mood is a short-term condition that develops in response to a specific stressor and resolves
after the stressor is resolved
Bipolar I vs Bipolar II vs Cyclothymia - Answer-BP1 includes at least one manic or mixed episodes of
major depressive episodes.
BP2 has at least one major depressive episode, with hypomanic episode (less severe form of mania)
Cyclothymia: numerous periods of hypomania and depressive symptoms, neither meeting full criteria for
full episodes
, Borderline Personality Disorder vs. Histrionic Personality Disorder - Answer-BPD has a pattern of
instability in moods, behavior, self-image, and relationships, and HPD is characterized by a pattern of
excessive emotionality and attention-seeking behavior.
Brief Psychotic Disorder vs. Schizophreniform Disorder vs. Schizophrenia - Answer-Brief Psychotic
Disorder is characterized by symptoms of psychosis lasting less than ONE month, Schizophreniform
Disorder is characterized by symptoms of psychosis lasting LESS than six months, and Schizophrenia is a
chronic disorder characterized by symptoms of psychosis lasting at LEAST six months with additional
negative symptoms.
Central Sleep Apnea - Answer-Central Sleep Apnea is when a person stops breathing during sleep, UP TO
1 MINUTE. Can report being very tired in the morning b/c they keep being disturbed during sleep.
Delirium - Answer-Increasing confusion in onset of hours or days and other changes in cognition and
behaviors
Delirium vs. Major Neurocognitive Disorder vs. Mild Neurocognitive Disorder - Answer-Delirium is a
serious disturbance in consciousness and cognition that develops over a short period of time and is
often caused by a medical condition, substance use, or medication side effects, Major Neurocognitive
Disorder (MNCD) is a decline in cognitive functioning severe enough to affect daily life and
independence, and Mild is a decline in functioning that's noticeable but not severe enough to affect
daily life and independence.
Depersonalization/Derealization Disorder vs. Dissociative Amnesia vs. Dissociative Identity Disorder -
Answer-Depersonalization/Derealization Disorder is characterized by feelings of detachment or
disconnection from one's thoughts, feelings, emotions, body or surroundings.
Dissociative Amnesia is an inability to recall important personal information, often of a traumatic or
stressful nature, that is too extensive to be explained by ordinary forgetfulness.
DID, formerly known as Multiple Personality Disorder, is the presence of 2 or more distinct identities or
personality states that take control of the individual's behavior, accompanied by memory impairment
for important information not explained by ordinary forgetfulness
ADHD must be diagnosed before age - Answer-12
Antisocial Personality Disorder vs. Narcissistic Personality Disorder - Answer-APD is a lifelong pattern of
disregard for the rights of others and social norms and lack of empathy, NDP is an inflated sense of self-
importance, a need for admiration, and lack of empathy.
Aphasia - Answer-impairment of language
Apraxia - Answer-impaired ability to carry out motor activities despite intact motor function
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) vs. Social Pragmatic Communication Disorder (SCD) - Answer-People
with autism repeat certain behaviors, have disruptive behaviors, and trouble with social interaction (not
necessarily speech). Individuals with SCD will NOT display these behaviors. People with SCD struggle to
adjust their communication based on the specific situation.
Bereavement vs. Major Depressive Disorder vs. Adjustment Disorder With Depressed Mood - Answer-
Bereavement is a normal emotional response to the loss of a loved one, MDD is a serious mental illness
characterized by severe and prolonged symptoms of depression, and Adjustment Disorder with
Depressed Mood is a short-term condition that develops in response to a specific stressor and resolves
after the stressor is resolved
Bipolar I vs Bipolar II vs Cyclothymia - Answer-BP1 includes at least one manic or mixed episodes of
major depressive episodes.
BP2 has at least one major depressive episode, with hypomanic episode (less severe form of mania)
Cyclothymia: numerous periods of hypomania and depressive symptoms, neither meeting full criteria for
full episodes
, Borderline Personality Disorder vs. Histrionic Personality Disorder - Answer-BPD has a pattern of
instability in moods, behavior, self-image, and relationships, and HPD is characterized by a pattern of
excessive emotionality and attention-seeking behavior.
Brief Psychotic Disorder vs. Schizophreniform Disorder vs. Schizophrenia - Answer-Brief Psychotic
Disorder is characterized by symptoms of psychosis lasting less than ONE month, Schizophreniform
Disorder is characterized by symptoms of psychosis lasting LESS than six months, and Schizophrenia is a
chronic disorder characterized by symptoms of psychosis lasting at LEAST six months with additional
negative symptoms.
Central Sleep Apnea - Answer-Central Sleep Apnea is when a person stops breathing during sleep, UP TO
1 MINUTE. Can report being very tired in the morning b/c they keep being disturbed during sleep.
Delirium - Answer-Increasing confusion in onset of hours or days and other changes in cognition and
behaviors
Delirium vs. Major Neurocognitive Disorder vs. Mild Neurocognitive Disorder - Answer-Delirium is a
serious disturbance in consciousness and cognition that develops over a short period of time and is
often caused by a medical condition, substance use, or medication side effects, Major Neurocognitive
Disorder (MNCD) is a decline in cognitive functioning severe enough to affect daily life and
independence, and Mild is a decline in functioning that's noticeable but not severe enough to affect
daily life and independence.
Depersonalization/Derealization Disorder vs. Dissociative Amnesia vs. Dissociative Identity Disorder -
Answer-Depersonalization/Derealization Disorder is characterized by feelings of detachment or
disconnection from one's thoughts, feelings, emotions, body or surroundings.
Dissociative Amnesia is an inability to recall important personal information, often of a traumatic or
stressful nature, that is too extensive to be explained by ordinary forgetfulness.
DID, formerly known as Multiple Personality Disorder, is the presence of 2 or more distinct identities or
personality states that take control of the individual's behavior, accompanied by memory impairment
for important information not explained by ordinary forgetfulness
