Clinical Level flashcards: Assessment, Diagnosis, And Treatment planning

What is the purpose of a biopsychosocial assessment in clinical practice?

The biopsychosocial assessment gathers information on biological, psychological, and social factors influencing a client’s well-being, providing a comprehensive understanding to guide diagnosis and treatment planning.

What are the key components of a mental status examination (MSE)?

1. Appearance and Behavior 2. Thought Processes 3. Mood and Affect 4. Speech and Language 5. Insight and Judgment 6. Cognitive Functioning (e.g., orientation, memory).

How do social workers assess for risk of harm to self or others?

By exploring suicidal or homicidal ideation, plans, means, intent, and protective factors, and evaluating immediate risk levels to determine interventions.

What is the DSM-5 criteria for diagnosing Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)?

The presence of five or more symptoms (e.g., depressed mood, anhedonia, fatigue, changes in sleep or appetite) for at least two weeks, causing significant impairment, with no history of mania or hypomania.

What is the role of collateral information in assessment?

Collateral information from family, medical records, or other providers enhances understanding of the client’s history and context, supporting accurate diagnosis and planning.

How do social workers use differential diagnosis?

Differential diagnosis involves systematically ruling out alternative conditions to identify the most accurate diagnosis based on symptoms, history, and clinical evidence.

What is the purpose of standardized assessment tools in clinical practice?

Standardized tools provide reliable and valid measures for symptoms, functioning, or specific conditions (e.g., PHQ-9 for depression, GAD-7 for anxiety), aiding in diagnosis and progress monitoring.

What is the significance of cultural competence in diagnosis?

Cultural competence ensures that diagnostic criteria and interpretations consider cultural norms, reducing biases and misdiagnoses.

How do social workers assess substance use disorders using the DSM-5?

Substance use disorders are diagnosed based on a pattern of use leading to significant impairment or distress, with criteria including loss of control, social problems, risky use, and physiological dependence.

What is the importance of client self-determination in treatment planning?

Respecting self-determination empowers clients to actively participate in setting goals and choosing interventions, enhancing motivation and treatment adherence.

How does a social worker assess for co-occurring disorders?

By evaluating for both mental health and substance use conditions, considering how each interacts, and ensuring integrated treatment planning.

What are SMART goals in treatment planning?

SMART goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound, providing clarity and structure to treatment objectives.

What is the purpose of baseline measurements in assessment?

Baseline measurements establish the client’s initial functioning, allowing for the tracking of progress and evaluation of treatment effectiveness.

How do social workers use the DSM-5’s Cultural Formulation Interview (CFI)?

The CFI explores the client’s cultural identity, values, and beliefs about illness and treatment, ensuring culturally informed assessments.

What is the importance of ongoing assessment during treatment?

Ongoing assessment monitors progress, identifies new challenges, and informs necessary adjustments to the treatment plan.

How do social workers assess a client’s strengths during the assessment process?

By exploring past successes, skills, resources, and support systems, identifying strengths that can be leveraged in treatment.

What is the role of trauma screening in the assessment process?

Trauma screening identifies past or current trauma, guiding trauma-informed care and interventions to address its impact on functioning.

How does the use of ecomaps support assessment?

Ecomaps visually represent the client’s relationships and interactions with their environment, highlighting sources of stress and support.

What is the purpose of a genogram in clinical assessment?

Genograms map family relationships and dynamics, helping to identify patterns such as intergenerational trauma, conflict, or support systems.

How do social workers assess for cognitive impairments?

Through clinical observation, standardized tools (e.g., MMSE, MOCA), and gathering information on memory, problem-solving, and executive functioning.

What is the significance of cultural humility in assessment and diagnosis?

Cultural humility involves acknowledging and addressing one’s biases, ensuring that assessments are respectful of and adapted to the client’s cultural context.

How do social workers assess for suicidal ideation?

By asking direct questions about thoughts, plans, means, and intent, and evaluating protective factors to determine risk.

What is the difference between signs and symptoms in clinical assessment?

Signs: Observable indicators (e.g., agitation, weight loss). Symptoms: Subjective experiences reported by the client (e.g., sadness, fatigue).

How do social workers identify functional impairments during assessment?

By evaluating the client’s ability to perform daily activities, maintain relationships, and meet responsibilities in various life domains.

What is the role of the family in the treatment planning process?

Families can provide insight, support, and resources that contribute to the client’s progress and the success of the treatment plan.

How does social learning theory inform treatment planning?

Treatment plans incorporate modeling and reinforcement strategies to promote new, adaptive behaviors based on observational learning.

What is the purpose of crisis assessments?

Crisis assessments determine the severity and immediacy of a client’s situation, guiding interventions to stabilize and ensure safety.

How do social workers assess for PTSD?

By using tools like the PCL-5, and exploring symptoms such as intrusive thoughts, avoidance, hyperarousal, and negative mood changes following trauma.

What is the significance of the ecological perspective in assessment?

The ecological perspective examines how the client interacts with their environment, identifying systemic factors influencing behavior and well-being.

How do social workers evaluate the client’s readiness for change?

Using models like the Transtheoretical Model, assessing stages from precontemplation to maintenance, and tailoring interventions accordingly.

What is the purpose of using the DSM-5’s specifiers in diagnosis?

Specifiers provide additional detail about the severity, course, or subtype of a disorder, guiding more tailored treatment planning.

How do social workers identify maladaptive coping mechanisms during assessment?

By exploring behaviors like substance use, avoidance, or aggression, and their impact on the client’s functioning and relationships.

What is the role of collateral interviews in assessment?

Collateral interviews with family, friends, or other providers provide additional context and information about the client’s history and current functioning.

How does a social worker assess for psychotic disorders?

By exploring symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking, and impairments in reality testing and functioning.

What is the role of motivational interviewing in assessment and treatment planning?

Motivational interviewing enhances the client’s readiness for change by exploring ambivalence, fostering autonomy, and strengthening commitment.

How do social workers assess for anxiety disorders using DSM-5 criteria?

By identifying excessive fear or worry, physical symptoms (e.g., restlessness, muscle tension), and functional impairments persisting for at least six months.

What is the importance of assessing comorbid conditions in treatment planning?

Comorbid conditions influence the choice of interventions and require integrated care to address overlapping and interacting issues.

How do social workers use client self-report tools in assessments?

Self-report tools (e.g., Beck Depression Inventory, GAD-7) provide insight into the client’s experiences, aiding in diagnosis and tracking progress.

What is the purpose of functional behavior assessments (FBA)?

FBAs identify the antecedents, behaviors, and consequences to understand the function of problematic behaviors and develop targeted interventions.

How do social workers assess for emotional regulation difficulties?

By exploring patterns of intense or poorly managed emotions, their triggers, and impacts on the client’s relationships and functioning.

What is the significance of cultural factors in interpreting assessment results?

Cultural factors influence symptom expression and client perceptions of well-being, ensuring assessments are valid and relevant.

How do social workers assess for ADHD in adults?

By exploring patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that have persisted since childhood and impair daily functioning.

What is the importance of assessing a client’s support network?

Support networks provide emotional and practical resources that influence resilience, coping, and treatment outcomes.

How does a strength-based approach influence assessment and treatment planning?

Focusing on strengths enhances client empowerment and motivation, building on existing resources and capacities to achieve goals.

What is the role of safety planning in clinical practice?

Safety planning provides a structured approach to managing immediate risks, such as suicidal ideation or domestic violence, ensuring the client’s safety.

How do social workers assess for bipolar disorders?

By identifying episodes of mania or hypomania, depressive symptoms, and their impact on functioning, using DSM-5 criteria.

What is the purpose of identifying client preferences in treatment planning?

Incorporating client preferences ensures plans align with their values and goals, increasing engagement and adherence to treatment.

How do social workers assess for trauma-related symptoms in children?

By exploring changes in behavior, sleep disturbances, regression, hypervigilance, or avoidance, and using age-appropriate tools.

What is the importance of integrating client feedback in treatment planning?

Client feedback ensures that plans are relevant, client-centered, and adaptable to their evolving needs and progress.

How do social workers assess for personality disorders?

By identifying enduring patterns of behavior and cognition that deviate from cultural norms and impair relationships or functioning.

What is the role of developmental history in assessments?

Developmental history provides insight into life events, milestones, and early experiences that influence current behavior and challenges.

How do social workers assess for eating disorders?

By exploring disordered eating patterns, body image concerns, and associated behaviors (e.g., restriction, bingeing, purging).

What is the significance of using evidence-based interventions in treatment planning?

Evidence-based interventions are supported by research, ensuring that treatments are effective and tailored to the client’s diagnosis and needs.

How do social workers address client ambivalence during assessment?

By using motivational interviewing techniques to explore mixed feelings and foster readiness for change.

What is the role of psychoeducation in treatment planning?

Psychoeducation helps clients understand their condition, empowering them to participate actively in their treatment and recovery.

How do social workers assess for intimate partner violence (IPV)?

By asking sensitive, direct questions about relationship dynamics, safety concerns, and identifying signs of physical, emotional, or financial abuse.

What is the significance of identifying client triggers in treatment planning?

Recognizing triggers helps create strategies to manage or avoid them, reducing the likelihood of symptom exacerbation or relapse.

How do social workers assess for adjustment disorders?

By identifying emotional or behavioral symptoms occurring within three months of a significant stressor that cause distress or functional impairment.

What is the role of interdisciplinary collaboration in treatment planning?

Collaboration with other professionals ensures comprehensive care, addressing the client’s physical, mental, and social needs holistically.

How do social workers assess for substance withdrawal symptoms?

By exploring recent substance use history, physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms, and the client’s coping mechanisms.

What is the purpose of family involvement in assessments?

Family involvement provides additional context, insights, and support that enhance understanding and treatment outcomes.

How do social workers identify systemic barriers during assessment?

By evaluating external factors, such as discrimination, financial limitations, or access to services, that impact the client’s well-being.

What is the significance of cultural concepts of distress in diagnosis?

Understanding cultural expressions of distress helps avoid misdiagnosis and ensures that interventions are culturally relevant.

How do social workers assess for social isolation?

By exploring the client’s social connections, frequency of interactions, and feelings of loneliness or detachment from others.

What is the role of therapeutic alliance in treatment planning?

A strong therapeutic alliance fosters trust and collaboration, enhancing engagement and adherence to the treatment plan.

How do social workers assess for phobias?

By identifying excessive, persistent fear of specific objects or situations that leads to avoidance and interferes with daily functioning.

What is the purpose of assessing occupational functioning?

Occupational assessments evaluate how symptoms affect the client’s ability to work, guiding interventions for vocational support or accommodations.

How do social workers assess for OCD symptoms?

By exploring intrusive thoughts (obsessions), repetitive behaviors (compulsions), and the distress or interference caused by these symptoms.

What is the significance of understanding client values in treatment planning?

Incorporating client values ensures that the plan aligns with their beliefs and goals, fostering engagement and satisfaction.

How do social workers assess for grief and loss?

By identifying emotional, cognitive, and behavioral responses to loss, as well as the impact on the client’s functioning and coping capacity.

What is the role of baseline functioning in assessments?

Establishing baseline functioning helps measure changes and evaluate treatment effectiveness over time.

How do social workers assess for developmental disorders in children?

Through developmental history, observations, and standardized tools that evaluate cognitive, social, and motor skills.

What is the purpose of using treatment modalities in planning?

Selecting appropriate modalities (e.g., CBT, DBT, family therapy) tailors interventions to the client’s diagnosis, goals, and preferences.

How do social workers assess for somatic symptom disorders?

By evaluating physical symptoms that cause significant distress or impairment, with no medical explanation or disproportionate to any underlying condition.

What is the importance of setting short-term goals in treatment planning?

Short-term goals provide manageable steps that build momentum toward achieving long-term objectives.

How do social workers assess for dissociative symptoms?

By exploring experiences of memory loss, identity disruption, or feelings of detachment from reality, often linked to trauma.

What is the significance of client autonomy in assessment and diagnosis?

Respecting autonomy ensures that clients are active participants in the process, fostering trust and collaboration.

How do social workers assess for environmental stressors?

By identifying external factors like housing instability, unemployment, or community violence that affect the client’s well-being.

What is the role of relapse prevention planning in treatment?

Relapse prevention identifies triggers and coping strategies to maintain progress and prevent setbacks.

How do social workers assess for panic disorder?

By exploring recurrent, unexpected panic attacks and associated worry about future attacks or behavior changes to avoid them.

How do social workers assess for interpersonal conflict during the assessment process?

By exploring the client’s relationships, communication patterns, and recurring challenges that impact social interactions and emotional well-being.

What is the importance of identifying protective factors in assessment?

Protective factors, such as supportive relationships or strong coping skills, enhance resilience and help buffer against risks.

How do social workers assess for intellectual disabilities?

By evaluating intellectual functioning and adaptive skills using standardized assessments and developmental history.

What is the role of functional goals in treatment planning?

Functional goals focus on improving daily living skills and quality of life, addressing specific challenges in work, relationships, or self-care.

How do social workers assess for antisocial personality disorder?

By identifying patterns of disregard for others’ rights, deceitfulness, impulsivity, and a lack of remorse, starting from adolescence or early adulthood.

What is the purpose of assessing social role functioning?

Social role assessments evaluate the client’s ability to fulfill roles (e.g., parent, employee) and identify areas of difficulty or conflict.

How do social workers assess for insomnia disorder?

By exploring difficulties initiating or maintaining sleep, daytime fatigue, and the impact on functioning, persisting for at least three months.

What is the significance of client insight in treatment planning?

Client insight into their condition enhances their engagement in treatment and ability to collaborate on effective interventions.

How do social workers assess for hoarding disorder?

living spaces, and associated distress or impairment.

What is the importance of relapse indicators in treatment planning?

Recognizing early warning signs of relapse helps clients implement preventive strategies and seek support before symptoms worsen.

How do social workers assess for borderline personality disorder?

By identifying patterns of unstable relationships, self-image, impulsivity, mood swings, and fear of abandonment.

What is the role of psycho-social history in assessment?

A psycho-social history provides context on the client’s upbringing, relationships, education, employment, and major life events, influencing their current challenges.

How do social workers assess for environmental supports?

By identifying community resources, family involvement, and other systems that can assist in addressing the client’s needs.

What is the significance of measuring treatment progress?

Measuring progress ensures that interventions are effective, goals are being met, and adjustments can be made if needed.

How do social workers assess for agoraphobia?

By exploring fear or avoidance of situations where escape might be difficult or help unavailable during a panic attack or other distressing event.

What is the role of co-creating goals in treatment planning?

Co-creating goals ensures that the treatment plan reflects the client’s priorities and fosters collaboration and commitment.

How do social workers assess for self-harm behaviors?

By asking about frequency, triggers, methods used, and the intent behind the behaviors, and identifying underlying emotional pain.

What is the importance of culturally tailored interventions?

Culturally tailored interventions respect the client’s values and traditions, enhancing their relevance and effectivenes

How do social workers assess for delusional disorder?

By identifying persistent delusions lasting at least one month, without other symptoms of psychosis or significant impairment outside of the delusion.

What is the purpose of discharge planning in treatment?

Discharge planning ensures continuity of care by connecting clients to resources and support systems as they transition out of treatment.

How do social workers assess for enmeshment in family systems?

By exploring overly close or blurred boundaries that hinder individual autonomy and contribute to relational conflict.

What is the role of harm reduction in treatment planning?

Harm reduction focuses on minimizing risks and negative consequences of behaviors, supporting incremental progress toward change.

How do social workers assess for childhood attachment issues?

By observing relationship patterns, caregiver interactions, and signs of secure or insecure attachment.

What is the significance of emotional regulation skills in treatment planning?

Improving emotional regulation skills helps clients manage stress, enhance relationships, and reduce impulsive behaviors.

How do social workers assess for malingering?

By identifying inconsistencies in reported symptoms, evidence of external motivations (e.g., financial gain), and ruling out other conditions.

What is the importance of client readiness in treatment engagement?

Assessing readiness ensures that interventions match the client’s motivation and capacity for change, enhancing success rates.

How do social workers assess for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)?

By identifying excessive, uncontrollable worry about multiple topics, lasting at least six months, with physical symptoms like tension or fatigue.

What is the role of adaptive functioning in assessment?

Adaptive functioning evaluates the client’s ability to cope with environmental demands, guiding treatment to improve life skills and independence.

How do social workers assess for psychopathy?

By exploring traits like lack of empathy, deceitfulness, impulsivity, and disregard for norms, often using specialized tools (e.g., PCL-R).

What is the purpose of monitoring client strengths during treatment?

Highlighting and building on strengths fosters resilience, reinforces progress, and motivates clients to achieve their goals.

How do social workers assess for impulse control disorders?

By identifying repeated failure to resist impulses that harm self or others (e.g., gambling, theft) and evaluating triggers and consequences.

What is the role of early warning signs in treatment planning?

Identifying early warning signs allows clients and clinicians to intervene proactively, preventing symptom escalation or relapse.

How do social workers assess for treatment resistance?

By exploring factors such as ambivalence, lack of insight, previous unsuccessful treatments, and environmental barriers.

What is the significance of psycho-social stressors in assessment?

Psycho-social stressors (e.g., financial issues, relationship conflicts) influence symptom presentation and should be addressed in treatment planning.

How do social workers assess for elder abuse?

By looking for signs such as unexplained injuries, withdrawal, neglect, or financial exploitation, and conducting sensitive, direct inquiries.

What is the role of client collaboration in developing a safety plan?

Client collaboration ensures the safety plan is practical, relevant, and aligned with the client’s resources and preferences.

How do social workers assess for sleep disorders?

By exploring patterns of difficulty falling or staying asleep, daytime fatigue, and contributing factors such as stress or medical conditions.

What is the purpose of identifying life transitions in assessment?

Understanding life transitions (e.g., divorce, retirement) helps contextualize stressors and develop supportive interventions.

How do social workers assess for borderline intellectual functioning?

By evaluating IQ scores slightly above intellectual disability, along with adaptive functioning challenges impacting daily life.

What is the importance of client resilience in treatment planning?

Resilience helps clients overcome adversity, and integrating it into treatment promotes optimism and goal achievement.

How do social workers assess for co-dependency in relationships?

By identifying patterns of excessive caregiving, difficulty setting boundaries, and reliance on approval or validation from others.

What is the role of client advocacy in treatment planning?

Advocacy ensures that clients have access to necessary resources, rights, and supports to achieve their treatment goals.

How do social workers assess for spiritual and religious influences?

By exploring the client’s beliefs, practices, and how spirituality impacts coping, decision-making, and overall well-being.

What is the purpose of using progress notes during treatment?

Progress notes document the client’s improvements, challenges, and interventions, ensuring accountability and continuity of care.

How do social workers assess for somatization?

By identifying physical complaints that lack a medical explanation, often linked to psychological distress or unresolved trauma.

What is an experimental design?

A research design where participants are randomly assigned to groups, and an independent variable is manipulated to observe its effect on a dependent variable.

Name three types of antidepressants.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).

Hoarding Disorder

Persistent difficulty discarding possessions, regardless of value. • Example: Living in cluttered conditions due to excessive saving.

Substance Use Disorder

Problematic use of substances leading to impairment or distress. • Example: Continued alcohol use despite relationship and work problems.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Brain dysfunction caused by external force (e.g., fall, accident). • Symptoms: Confusion, memory loss, mood changes.

Planning

Developing goals and intervention strategies to address client needs.

Assessment

Gathering client information to identify strengths, needs, and concerns.

Termination

Ending services while ensuring follow-up care and evaluation of progress.

Independent Variable

The factor that is intentionally changed or controlled in an experiment to observe its effect. The variable manipulated by the researcher.

Dependent Variable

The outcome being measured in research.

Cross-Sequential Design

Combines cross-sectional and longitudinal methods to study multiple groups over time.

Tourette’s Disorder

• A neurological disorder characterized by the presence of both motor and vocal tics that persist for at least 1 year. • Motor Tics: Sudden, brief, repetitive movements (e.g., blinking, shoulder shrugging, facial grimacing). • Vocal Tics: Involuntary sounds or words (e.g., throat clearing, sniffing, grunting, or shouting). • Example: A child repeatedly blinking (motor tic) and making a humming sound (vocal tic) without control.

What are antianxiety medications primarily used for?

Treating anxiety disorders and acute anxiety symptoms.

Cyclothymic Disorder

Chronic mood fluctuations with periods of hypomanic and depressive symptoms lasting 2+ years (1 year in children). • Example: Frequent mood swings between mild highs and lows without severe episodes.

Bipolar Disorder

A mood disorder with alternating manic, hypomanic, and depressive episodes.

Bipolar I Disorder

At least one manic episode lasting 7+ days or requiring hospitalization, often followed by depression. • Manic Episode: Elevated mood, high energy, risky behaviors. • Example: Staying awake for days, impulsive spending, grandiosity.

Bipolar II Disorder

At least one hypomanic episode (4+ days) and one major depressive episode. No full manic episodes. • Example: Feeling very productive for days, followed by weeks of sadness.

Cyclothymic Disorder

Chronic mood fluctuations with periods of hypomanic and depressive symptoms lasting 2+ years (1 year in children). • Example: Frequent mood swings between mild highs and lows without severe episodes.

Manic Episode

A period of abnormally elevated, expansive, or irritable mood and increased energy lasting at least 1 week. • Symptoms: Inflated self-esteem or grandiosity, Decreased need for sleep, Racing thoughts or flight of ideas, Increased talkativeness, Risky behaviors (e.g., overspending, reckless driving), • Impact: Causes significant impairment in functioning and may require hospitalization. • Example: A person starts multiple unrealistic projects, spends excessively, and sleeps very little for several days.

Hypomanic Episode

• A less severe form of a manic episode with elevated mood or irritability lasting at least 4 consecutive days. • Symptoms: Similar to mania but less intense:, Increased energy or productivity, Reduced need for sleep, Grandiosity or inflated self-confidence, Talkativeness and racing thoughts • Impact: Does not cause significant functional impairment or hospitalization. • Example: A person feels unusually energetic, starts new projects, and works efficiently without disruption.

Intervention

The process of implementing strategies to address a client’s identified problems, needs, or goals. Steps: Selecting appropriate methods (e.g., counseling, referrals, psychoeducation), Collaborating with clients to develop solutions,Monitoring and adjusting the intervention as needed • Example: Providing cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to help a client manage anxiety.

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

A neurodevelopmental disorder marked by persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that occurs in two or more settings (e.g., school, home). • Symptoms: o Inattention: Difficulty focusing, frequent mistakes, losing items. o Hyperactivity: Fidgeting, talking excessively, difficulty sitting still. • Example: Struggles to complete homework at home and frequently disrupts class at school.

Conduct Disorder

A behavioral disorder in children marked by repetitive violations of social norms and others' rights. • Symptoms: Aggression, destruction of property, theft, deceitfulness. • Example: A child frequently bullies peers and engages in vandalism.

Name a commonly prescribed antianxiety medication.

Benzodiazepines, such as lorazepam or alprazolam.

Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)

A disorder characterized by defiant, angry, and argumentative behaviors in children. • Symptoms: o Often argues with authority figures o Refuses to comply with rules o Deliberately annoys others. • Example: A child frequently refuses to follow teacher instructions and argues when corrected.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

A developmental disorder involving challenges with social interaction, communication, and repetitive behaviors. • Symptoms: o Difficulty with eye contact, gestures, and understanding social cues. o Repetitive movements or speech. o Sensory sensitivities (e.g., disliking loud noises). • Example: A child avoids playing with peers and repeats the same phrases.

Separation Anxiety Disorder

Excessive fear or anxiety about being apart from attachment figures, common in children. • Symptoms: o Refusing to go to school o Nightmares about separation o Physical complaints (e.g., stomachaches) when separated. • Example: A child cries excessively when dropped off at school.

Enuresis (Bedwetting)

Repeated involuntary urination during the day or night in children aged 5 years or older. • Example: A 7-year-old wets the bed at least twice a week for three months.

Encopresis

Repeated involuntary or intentional passage of feces in inappropriate places in children aged 4 years or older. • Example: A 6-year-old soils their underwear despite being toilet trained.

Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD)

A condition in children caused by neglect or inconsistent caregiving, leading to difficulty forming healthy attachments. • Symptoms: o Emotionally withdrawn behavior o Failure to seek comfort when distressed o Limited positive emotions. • Example: A child avoids hugs and refuses comfort when upset.

Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder (DSED)

A disorder in children characterized by inappropriate, overly familiar behavior with unfamiliar adults due to neglect or insufficient caregiving. • Symptoms: o Reduced or absent fear of strangers. o Willingness to approach and interact with unfamiliar adults. o Limited checking back with caregivers, even in unfamiliar settings. • Example: A child runs up to an unknown adult in a park, asking for a hug and acting as though they know them.

What conditions are stimulants commonly prescribed for?

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy.

Name a commonly prescribed stimulant.

Methylphenidate (Ritalin) or amphetamine salts (Adderall).

Biopsychosocial Assessment

A comprehensive assessment that explores biological, psychological, and social factors affecting a client’s functioning and well-being. • Key Focus: Looks at health history, mental health symptoms, and social/environmental influences.

Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)

A 21-item self-report questionnaire used to assess the severity of depressive symptoms. • Scoring: Higher scores indicate more severe depression.

Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI)

A standardized psychometric test to assess personality traits and psychopathology. • Use: Helps diagnose mental disorders.

Rorschach Inkblot Test

A projective test where individuals interpret inkblots to uncover unconscious thoughts. • Use: Evaluates personality structure and emotional functioning.

Wechsler Intelligence Scale (WAIS)

An IQ test that measures cognitive ability in adults. • Components: Verbal comprehension, perceptual reasoning, working memory, and processing speed.

What is a quasi-experimental design?

A research design that lacks random assignment but includes an intervention and comparison to assess causal relationships.

Thematic Apperception Test (TAT)

A projective test where individuals create stories about ambiguous pictures. • Use: Evaluates emotions, motivations, and unresolved conflicts.

Mental Status Exam (MSE)

A structured assessment of a client’s cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning. • Components: Appearance, speech, mood, thought process, cognition, insight, and judgment.

Mini-Mental Status Exam (MMSE)

A brief test to assess cognitive functioning, particularly for dementia. • Scoring: Out of 30 points; lower scores suggest cognitive impairment.

Safety Planning

Developing a plan to ensure safety during crises, especially for suicide risk or IPV. • Components: Warning signs, coping strategies, support contacts, and safe places.

Delirium

A sudden, reversible cognitive disturbance caused by medical conditions or substances. • Features: Disorientation, hallucinations, and fluctuating levels of consciousness.

Dementia

A progressive decline in cognitive function, memory, and executive functioning. • Example: Alzheimer’s disease.

Hallucinations

False sensory perceptions without external stimuli. • Types: Auditory, visual, tactile, olfactory.

Delusions

Fixed, false beliefs that are not grounded in reality. • Types: Persecutory, grandiose, and somatic.

Eating Disorders

• Anorexia Nervosa: Restrictive eating, intense fear of weight gain. • Bulimia Nervosa: Binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors. • Binge Eating Disorder: Recurrent binge eating without purging. • Pica: Eating non-nutritive substances. • Rumination Disorder: Repeated regurgitation of food.

Social Anxiety Disorder

Intense fear of social situations due to fear of embarrassment or scrutiny.

What is a randomized control design?

A type of experimental design considered the gold standard for determining causality, involving random assignment and control groups.

Factitious Disorder by Proxy

Inducing illness in another person to gain attention or sympathy.

Malingering

Intentionally faking or exaggerating symptoms for external benefits (e.g., money, avoiding work)

Illness Anxiety Disorder

Preoccupation with having a serious illness despite minimal symptoms.

Paraphilic Disorders

Intense and atypical sexual urges causing distress or harm.

Personality Disorders Types:

:

o Cluster A: Paranoid, Schizoid, Schizotypal. o Cluster B: Borderline, Antisocial, Narcissistic, Histrionic. o Cluster C: Avoidant, Dependent, Obsessive-Compulsive.

Childhood Disorders

• Examples: ADHD, Conduct Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Developmental disorder with social deficits, repetitive behaviors, and sensory sensitivities.

Gambling Disorder

Persistent, problematic gambling behavior despite negative consequences.

Paranoid Personality Disorder

Pervasive distrust and suspicion of others. • Features: Believes others are deceitful, holds grudges, perceives innocent remarks as threats.

Schizoid Personality Disorder

Detachment from social relationships and restricted emotional expression. • Features: Prefers solitude, little interest in close relationships, emotionally cold.

What are psychotropic medications?

Medications that affect brain chemistry and are used to treat mental health disorders.

Schizotypal Personality Disorder

Acute discomfort in close relationships, eccentric behaviors, and odd beliefs. • Features: Magical thinking, unusual speech patterns, social anxiety, odd appearance.

Borderline Personality Disorder

Instability in interpersonal relationships, self-image, and emotions with impulsive behaviors. • Features: Fear of abandonment, mood swings, impulsivity, self-harm, chronic feelings of emptiness.

Histrionic Personality Disorder

Excessive emotionality and attention-seeking behaviors. • Features: Dramatic, seeks approval, easily influenced, considers relationships more intimate than they are.

Narcissistic Personality Disorder

Grandiosity, need for admiration, and lack of empathy. • Features: Exaggerated sense of importance, entitlement, preoccupation with fantasies of power or success.

Antisocial Personality Disorder

Disregard for and violation of the rights of others. • Features: Deceitfulness, impulsivity, irritability, lack of remorse, repeated unlawful behaviors.

Avoidant Personality Disorder

Social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy, and hypersensitivity to criticism. • Features: Avoids social situations, fears rejection, sees self as socially inept.

Dependent Personality Disorder

Excessive need to be cared for, leading to submissive and clingy behavior. • Features: Difficulty making decisions, relies on others, fears being alone.

Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD)

Preoccupation with orderliness, perfectionism, and control. • Features: Inflexible, over-focused on rules and details, reluctant to delegate tasks, workaholic tendencies.

Genogram

A visual diagram representing family relationships, patterns, and medical or behavioral histories across generations. • Use: Helps identify family dynamics, hereditary issues, and social systems.

Active Listening

Fully concentrating, understanding, responding, and remembering what a client is saying. • Features: Eye contact, open body language, paraphrasing, and reflecting feelings.

Name four categories of psychotropic medications.

Antipsychotics, antidepressants, antianxiety medications, and stimulants.

Organic Disorders

Disorders caused by physical or medical conditions affecting brain function. • Examples: Dementia, delirium, traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Collateral Information

Data gathered from individuals or sources other than the client (e.g., family, medical records). • Use: Provides a fuller picture of the client’s history and functioning.

Insight

A client’s awareness and understanding of their own thoughts, behaviors, and mental health issues. • Levels: Good, partial, or poor insight.

Affect

The observable expression of emotions (e.g., flat, blunted, labile, inappropriate). • Example: Smiling while expressing sadness is inappropriate affect.

Enuresis

Repeated involuntary urination, typically at night, after age 5. • Subtypes: Primary (never achieved continence) or secondary (relapse).

Encopresis

Repeated involuntary defecation in inappropriate places in children older than age 4. • Features: Often linked to constipation or behavioral concerns.

Social Work Helping Process

A structured approach in social work involving: Engagement → Assessment → Planning → Intervention → Evaluation → Termination.

Reliability

Consistency of a measure or assessment tool over time. • Example: A test yields similar results across repeated administrations.

Validity

The extent to which an assessment tool measures what it is intended to measure.

SOAP Assessment

A structured note-taking format: o S: Subjective (client report) o O: Objective (observations, facts) o A: Assessment (clinician’s interpretation) o P: Plan (next steps).

What are antipsychotics used to treat?

Schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and severe depression.

Formative Evaluation

Ongoing evaluation during an intervention to improve effectiveness. • Example: Feedback gathered mid-program to adjust strategies.

Summative Evaluation

Evaluation conducted at the end of an intervention to measure overall outcomes. • Example: Final program effectiveness report.

Single Subject Design

Research design focusing on one subject over time to evaluate intervention effectiveness • Example: A-B-A design (baseline, intervention, return to baseline)

Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (MCMI)

A psychological test used to assess personality disorders and clinical syndromes. • Use: Helps with diagnosis and treatment planning.

Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale

A standardized test measuring cognitive abilities and intelligence. • Components: Measures reasoning, knowledge, and problem-solving.

External Validity

The extent to which research findings can be generalized to real-world settings.

Predictive Validity

The degree to which a test can predict future outcomes. • Example: SAT scores predicting college success.

Concurrent Validity

The extent to which a test correlates with an existing, established measure. • Example: Comparing a new depression scale with the BDI.

Qualitative Data

Non-numerical data describing characteristics, experiences, or behaviors. • Examples: Interviews, narratives, observations.

Quantitative Data

Numerical data used to measure variables and analyze statistical relationships. • Examples: Surveys, test scores, structured observations.

What is tardive dyskinesia?

A side effect of long-term use of antipsychotics, characterized by repetitive, involuntary movements, often of the face and tongue.

Cross-Sectional Design

A research method that studies different groups of people at one point in time. • Use: Identifies differences across age, demographics, or other variables.

Psychosocial Stress

Stress caused by social and psychological factors (e.g., relationships, finances, work). • Example: Stress from job loss or marital conflict.

Risk Assessment

Process of evaluating potential risks (e.g., harm to self/others, neglect) in a client’s environment or behavior. • Use: Guides safety planning and intervention.

Engagement

The initial phase of the helping process where rapport, trust, and a working relationship are established. • Key Skills: Active listening, empathy, and client-centered communication.

Macro Social Work

Focus on large systems such as communities, organizations, and policies. • Example: Advocacy, community organizing, policy development.

Micro Social Work

Focus on individuals or small groups for direct practice and intervention. • Example: Counseling, case management.

Mezzo Social Work

Focus on mid-level systems such as families, groups, and organizations. • Example: Support groups, family therapy, organizational consulting.

Trauma-Informed Care

An approach that recognizes, understands, and responds to the impact of trauma on clients. • Principles: Safety, trustworthiness, empowerment, collaboration, and cultural sensitivity.

Crisis Plans

A plan developed to help clients respond to crisis situations safely and effectively. • Components: Warning signs, coping strategies, emergency contacts, and safety steps.

Discharge (Follow-Up Care)

The final phase of care, ensuring continuity of support after services end. • Key Steps: Referrals, follow-up appointments, and client education.

What are antimanic agents used for?

To treat and prevent manic episodes in bipolar disorder.

Longitudinal Design

Research that studies the same group of people over a long period of time. • Use: Identifies developmental trends or long-term outcomes.

Experimental/Randomized Control

A research design where participants are randomly assigned to control and experimental groups to test interventions. • Strength: High internal validity

Quasi-Experimental Design

A research method similar to experimental design but lacking random assignment. • Use: Often used in real-world settings when randomization isn’t feasible.

Disorientation

A state of mental confusion where a person is unaware of time, place, or identity. • Types: o Time disorientation: Not knowing the current date or time. o Place disorientation: Uncertainty about current location. o Person disorientation: Failure to recognize oneself or others. • Example: A person with dementia may not recognize their own home or forget their age.

Grandiose

An inflated sense of self-importance, power, or abilities. • Associated Disorders: Bipolar I (during manic episodes), Narcissistic Personality Disorder. • Example: Believing one has special powers to influence world events.

Somatic

Relating to physical symptoms that are caused or exacerbated by psychological distress. • Example: Stress causing headaches, stomach pain, or fatigue without a medical cause.

Acute Stress Disorder (ASD)

A trauma-related disorder lasting from 3 days to 1 month after exposure to a traumatic event. • Symptoms: Intrusive thoughts, dissociation, avoidance, hyperarousal. • Example: Experiencing flashbacks after a car accident.

Panic Attacks

Sudden and intense periods of fear or discomfort peaking within minutes. • Symptoms: Palpitations, shortness of breath, trembling, dizziness, depersonalization. • Example: Feeling unable to breathe while in a crowded elevator.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Excessive, uncontrollable worry about various aspects of life for at least 6 months. • Symptoms: Restlessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, muscle tension. • Example: Constant worrying about finances, work, and relationships.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

A disorder resulting from exposure to trauma, with symptoms lasting more than 1 month. • Symptoms: o Re-experiencing trauma (flashbacks, nightmares). o Avoidance of reminders. o Negative changes in thoughts/moods. o Hypervigilance. • Example: A veteran avoiding fireworks due to combat memories.

What are antidepressants used to treat?

Depression, anxiety disorders, and other mood-related conditions.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

A disorder characterized by intrusive obsessions and repetitive compulsions aimed at reducing anxiety. • Examples: o Obsession: Fear of germs. o Compulsion: Excessive handwashing.

Agoraphobia

Intense fear of situations where escape might be difficult or help unavailable. • Examples: o Avoiding open spaces, public transportation, or crowded places. o Refusing to leave home alone.

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

Persistent low mood, loss of interest, and associated symptoms for at least 2 weeks. • Symptoms: Fatigue, sleep issues, hopelessness, suicidal ideation.

Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)

Chronic low-grade depression lasting at least 2 years (adults) or 1 year (children). • Example: Feeling consistently sad, tired, and unmotivated over years.

Dissociative Disorders

Conditions involving disruptions in memory, identity, perception, or consciousness. • Types: o Dissociative Amnesia: Memory loss of personal information. o Depersonalization: Feeling detached from oneself. o Dissociative Identity Disorder: Presence of two or more distinct identities.

Conversion Disorder

Neurological symptoms (e.g., paralysis, seizures) without medical cause, often triggered by stress. • Example: Sudden inability to walk after witnessing a traumatic event.

Factitious Disorder

Intentionally faking or producing physical/mental symptoms to assume the sick role.

Somatic Symptom Disorder

Excessive focus on physical symptoms causing significant distress and impairment.

Prolonged Grief Disorder

Persistent and impairing grief lasting longer than culturally expected. • Timeline: o Adults: Grief lasting >12 months. o Children: Grief lasting >6 months.

Sexual Dysfunctions

Disorders affecting sexual desire, arousal, or performance. • Examples: Erectile dysfunction, female orgasmic disorder.

Clinical Level flashcards: Assessment, Diagnosis, And Treatment planning

Clinical Level flashcards: Assessment, Diagnosis, And Treatment planning

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