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Quizzes > Health & Medicine > Psychology & Mental Health

Test Your DSM Knowledge: Free Mental Health Quiz

Think you can ace these DSM 5 test questions online? Give it a try!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration for online DSM test quiz on golden yellow background

This DSM test online free helps you practice DSM-5 categories and symptoms, from personality disorders to illness anxiety, using realistic questions. Use it to spot weak areas before an exam or clinical work, then review with practice questions and answers to lock in key points.

What does DSM stand for?
Diagnostic Standardized Manual of Mental Disorders
Disease and Symptom Manual of Mental Disorders
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Diagnoses
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
DSM is the acronym for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, published by the American Psychiatric Association. It provides standard criteria for the classification of mental disorders. The manual is updated periodically to incorporate new research findings and clinical best practices. For more details, see .
Which edition of the DSM is currently in use?
DSM-IV
DSM-III
DSM-5
DSM-6
The current edition of the manual is DSM-5, which was published in 2013. It replaced DSM-IV-TR and introduced several changes, including the removal of the multiaxial system. Updates in DSM-5 reflect advances in neuroscience, genetics, and clinical practice. For more, see .
Which axis was removed when transitioning from DSM-IV to DSM-5?
Axis II: Personality Disorders
Axis V: Global Assessment of Functioning
Axis III: Medical Conditions
Multiaxial system
DSM-5 eliminated the multiaxial diagnostic system used in DSM-IV, including Axes I - V. This change aimed to simplify diagnosis and emphasize a unified classification. The Global Assessment of Functioning (Axis V) was also removed. For more information, see .
Which disorder is characterized by excessive worry occurring more days than not for at least six months?
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Acute Stress Disorder
Panic Disorder
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Generalized Anxiety Disorder involves persistent and excessive worry about various domains, present more days than not for at least six months. Other anxiety disorders, such as panic disorder or OCD, have distinct criteria involving panic attacks or obsessions/compulsions. For diagnostic criteria, see .
What term replaced hypochondriasis in DSM-5?
Somatic Symptom Disorder
Factitious Disorder
Illness Anxiety Disorder
Conversion Disorder
Hypochondriasis was divided into Somatic Symptom Disorder and Illness Anxiety Disorder in DSM-5. Illness Anxiety Disorder focuses on preoccupation with having or acquiring a serious illness without significant somatic symptoms. For more, see .
Under which category in DSM-5 does schizophrenia fall?
Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Mood Disorders
Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders
Anxiety Disorders
Schizophrenia is classified under 'Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders' in DSM-5. This category includes disorders characterized by psychosis, like schizophreniform disorder and schizoaffective disorder. For more details, see .
Which feature is a hallmark of Borderline Personality Disorder?
Obsession with symmetry and order
Unstable interpersonal relationships and self-image
Grandiosity and need for admiration
Social inhibition and feelings of inadequacy
Borderline Personality Disorder is marked by instability in relationships, self-image, and affect, plus impulsivity. Grandiosity is more typical of narcissistic personality disorder, while obsession with order suggests obsessive - compulsive personality disorder. For criteria, see .
What is the minimum duration required for diagnosing a Major Depressive Episode?
1 week
2 weeks
6 months
1 month
DSM-5 requires a minimum of two weeks of nearly daily symptoms to diagnose a Major Depressive Episode. Symptoms must include depressed mood or loss of interest along with other criteria. For full details, see .
How many criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder must be met in the domain of social communication deficits?
One
Two
Three
Four
DSM-5 lists three criteria in the social communication domain for ASD: deficits in social-emotional reciprocity, nonverbal communication, and relationships. All three must be met for diagnosis. See .
Which trait is central to Narcissistic Personality Disorder?
Attention to order and control
Fear of rejection
Grandiose sense of self-importance
Excessive need for caregiving
Central to Narcissistic Personality Disorder is a pervasive pattern of grandiosity, need for admiration, and lack of empathy. This distinguishes it from other personality disorders. More info at .
Which disorder involves a preoccupation with having or acquiring a serious illness, despite few or no symptoms?
Factitious Disorder
Somatic Symptom Disorder
Conversion Disorder
Illness Anxiety Disorder
Illness Anxiety Disorder is marked by anxiety focused on the idea of having a serious illness, without substantial somatic symptoms. Somatic Symptom Disorder requires prominent somatic complaints. For more, see .
Trichotillomania belongs to which DSM-5 category?
Anxiety Disorders
Personality Disorders
Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders
Feeding and Eating Disorders
Hair-pulling disorder (trichotillomania) is classified under Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders in DSM-5, alongside OCD, excoriation disorder, and hoarding. See .
What is a key difference between Social Anxiety Disorder and Avoidant Personality Disorder?
Age of onset
Duration of symptoms
Severity and pervasiveness of avoidance behaviors
Presence of panic attacks
Avoidant Personality Disorder involves more pervasive avoidance across contexts and deeper self-esteem issues than Social Anxiety Disorder, which may focus on specific social situations. For distinctions, see .
Which of the following is included in Cluster B personality disorders?
Avoidant Personality Disorder
Borderline Personality Disorder
Dependent Personality Disorder
Paranoid Personality Disorder
Cluster B includes dramatic, emotional, or erratic personality disorders: antisocial, borderline, histrionic, and narcissistic. Borderline Personality Disorder is therefore a Cluster B disorder. See .
Which specifier can be applied to major depressive episodes to indicate co-occurring anxious symptoms?
With psychotic features
With anxious distress
With catatonia
With mixed features
The 'with anxious distress' specifier indicates the presence of anxiety symptoms during a major depressive episode. It is distinct from mixed features or psychotic features. More details at .
What diagnosis replaced dysthymia in DSM-5?
Major Depressive Disorder
Cyclothymic Disorder
Persistent Depressive Disorder
Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder
Persistent Depressive Disorder in DSM-5 combines chronic major depressive disorder and dysthymia. This change reflects evidence that chronic depressive presentations exist on a spectrum. See .
What is the primary distinction between Somatic Symptom Disorder and Illness Anxiety Disorder in DSM-5?
Presence of predominant somatic symptoms
Age of onset
Etiology of symptoms
Duration of symptoms required
Somatic Symptom Disorder is characterized by one or more distressing somatic symptoms plus excessive thoughts or behaviors related to them. Illness Anxiety Disorder involves preoccupation with having a serious illness without significant somatic complaints. For more, see .
In DSM-5, the subtypes of schizophrenia (paranoid, disorganized, catatonic) were:
Retained as before
Made into a separate disorder category
Expanded to include new subtypes
Merged into a single diagnosis without subtypes
DSM-5 removed the traditional subtype distinctions for schizophrenia, consolidating them into a single diagnosis. This change reflects low reliability and validity of subtypes. For details, see .
The specifier "With limited prosocial emotions" is used in diagnosing which disorder?
Intermittent Explosive Disorder
Oppositional Defiant Disorder
Conduct Disorder
Antisocial Personality Disorder
The limited prosocial emotions specifier applies to Conduct Disorder to identify those with callous and unemotional traits. It signals more severe and persistent conduct problems. See .
According to DSM-5, how many total criteria must be met for the diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder in the domain of restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior?
Four
Three
One
Two
DSM-5 requires at least two of four possible criteria in the restricted, repetitive behaviors domain for Autism Spectrum Disorder. These include stereotyped movements and insistence on sameness. For full criteria, see .
Which diagnosis is used when a patient exhibits clinically significant eating disturbance but does not meet full criteria for Anorexia Nervosa or Bulimia Nervosa?
Pica
Binge-Eating Disorder
Unspecified Feeding or Eating Disorder
Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder
Unspecified Feeding or Eating Disorder covers clinically significant eating issues not meeting criteria for specific feeding/eating disorders. It allows clinicians to document serious symptoms without a precise category. See .
For Schizoaffective Disorder, DSM-5 requires that mood episodes be present for what proportion of the total duration of the illness?
70%
30%
90%
50%
DSM-5 specifies that major mood episodes must be present for at least half the duration of the total illness in Schizoaffective Disorder. Psychotic symptoms must also occur in the absence of mood episodes. For details, see .
In DSM-5, which section lists "Conditions for Further Study" such as Caffeine Use Disorder and Internet Gaming Disorder?
Section II: Diagnoses
Section I: Basics
Section IV: Appendices
Section III: Emerging Measures and Models
Section III of DSM-5, titled 'Emerging Measures and Models,' contains conditions for further study including Caffeine Use Disorder and Internet Gaming Disorder. These entries encourage additional research before formal inclusion. For more, see .
Under the Alternative DSM-5 Model for Personality Disorders in Section III, what two main criteria must be met for diagnosis?
Criterion A (personality functioning deficits) and Criterion B (trait domains)
All of the above
Axis I and Axis II criteria
Criterion C (listed disorders) and Criterion D (risk factors)
The Alternative DSM-5 Model for Personality Disorders requires both Criterion A (impairments in self and interpersonal functioning) and Criterion B (pathological personality traits). This hybrid model is in Section III for further study. See .
For Anorexia Nervosa severity specifier in DSM-5, which measure determines the level of severity?
Body Mass Index (BMI)
Frequency of binge episodes
Level of body image disturbance
Percentage of weight loss over 3 months
DSM-5 Anorexia Nervosa severity is determined by Body Mass Index (BMI) thresholds. Mild severity is BMI ?17, moderate is 16 - 16.99, severe is 15 - 15.99, and extreme is <15. For full specifiers, see .
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand DSM-5 Framework -

    Gain a clear grasp of the structure and purpose of the DSM-5 classification system, including its major clinical categories and organizational principles.

  2. Identify Personality Disorder Criteria -

    Learn to pinpoint the core diagnostic features of various personality disorders as defined by the DSM-5.

  3. Differentiate Clinical Categories -

    Distinguish between key mental health conditions, such as mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and somatic symptom disorders.

  4. Recognize Hyperchondriasis Indicators -

    Understand the characteristics and diagnostic criteria associated with hyperchondriasis in the DSM context.

  5. Apply Diagnostic Knowledge -

    Use sample questions to practice applying DSM-5 criteria to hypothetical case scenarios.

  6. Evaluate Mental Health Insights -

    Assess your understanding through ongoing feedback to boost confidence in your DSM test skills.

Cheat Sheet

  1. DSM-5 Structure Overview -

    The DSM-5 is organized into three main sections: fundamentals and use, diagnostic criteria, and emerging measures (APA, 2013), forming the basis for any dsm test online free. Familiarizing yourself with this layout helps streamline your search during a DSM quiz online free, ensuring you locate each disorder's criteria quickly. Practice by flipping through Section II to see how disorders are categorized by chapters and codes.

  2. Personality Disorder Clusters Mnemonic -

    Personality disorders in the DSM-5 are grouped into Clusters A ("Weird"), B ("Wild"), and C ("Worried") - a handy mnemonic to recall odd, dramatic, and anxious traits (Becker & Pfohl, 2002). This trick boosts your confidence during a mental health DSM quiz by linking Cluster A (Paranoid, Schizoid, Schizotypal) to "weird" behaviors. Use "Weird Wild Worried" in flashcards for fast recall on your DSM test online free.

  3. Illness Anxiety Disorder vs. Hyperchondriasis -

    What was once called hyperchondriasis is now Illness Anxiety Disorder in DSM-5, emphasizing preoccupation with illness despite medical reassurance (APA, 2013). Knowing this update is crucial for accuracy in dsm 5 test questions online and in a DSM quiz online free. Remember: if health worries persist without symptoms, Illness Anxiety Disorder is the correct term.

  4. Major Clinical Categories -

    DSM-5 divides disorders into categories such as Mood, Anxiety, Psychotic, and Neurodevelopmental, each with specific criteria sets (WHO Collaborating Centre, 2015). When practicing a mental health DSM quiz, focus on distinguishing one category's hallmark features - like hallucinations in Psychotic vs. mood swings in Bipolar Disorder. Categorization mastery sharpens your performance on any dsm test online free.

  5. Effective DSM Test Strategy -

    For dsm 5 test questions online, read each question's stem fully before glancing at answer choices, then eliminate options that don't match full DSM criteria. Time yourself when doing a DSM quiz online free to build pacing skills; start with easier items to build confidence then tackle the complex ones. This methodical approach reduces errors and maximizes your score on a free DSM test online.

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