AANPCB Board Prep/Diagnose
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Diagnose

Differential diagnosis formulation, diagnostic criteria application, synthesizing subjective and objective data, and prioritizing differentials.

171 questions · AANPCB: 21% of exam
What the AANPCB tests in Diagnose▶

The Diagnose domain accounts for 21% of scored questions on the AANPCB PMHNP-C exam. It tests your ability to synthesize and analyze the subjective and objective information gathered in assessment, formulate a differential diagnosis, prioritize differentials including recognizing urgent conditions, and establish a primary diagnosis using current diagnostic criteria.

Questions in this domain focus on diagnostic reasoning: distinguishing between conditions with overlapping presentations (bipolar II vs. borderline personality, ADHD vs. anxiety, delirium vs. dementia), interpreting screening tool results in clinical context, and recognizing when a clinical presentation is inconsistent with an initial working diagnosis.

The AANPCB organizes clinical disorders into three frequency tiers. Group 1 disorders (mood, anxiety, trauma, substance use) appear most frequently in Diagnose questions. Understanding the specific diagnostic criteria that differentiate similar conditions — duration requirements, exclusion criteria, age-specific presentations — is essential for this domain.

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All 171 questions

1.
Serotonin Syndrome Recognition and Diagnosis
intermediateserotonin syndrometramadolHunter criteria
→
2.
Bipolar I vs Bipolar II Differentiation
beginnerbipolar disordermania vs hypomaniadifferential diagnosis
→
3.
MDD with Psychotic Features vs Schizoaffective Disorder
intermediatepsychotic featuresschizoaffective disorderdifferential diagnosis
→
4.
GAD vs Adjustment Disorder Differentiation
beginnergeneralized anxiety disorderadjustment disorderdifferential diagnosis
→
5.
PTSD vs Acute Stress Disorder Timeline
intermediatePTSDacute stress disordertrauma
→
6.
Borderline Personality Disorder DSM-5-TR Criteria
intermediateborderline personality disorderDSM-5-TR criteriapersonality disorders
→
7.
Substance-Induced vs Primary Mood Disorder
advancedsubstance-induced mood disorderalcohol use disorderdifferential diagnosis
→
8.
ADHD in Adults: Diagnosis and Ruling Out
advancedADHDadult ADHDdifferential diagnosis
→
9.
Differentiating ADHD from Bipolar Mania in Adults
advancedADHDbipolar disorderdifferential diagnosis
→
10.
Catatonia Recognition and Bush-Francis Signs
intermediatecatatoniaBush-Francis scalemental status examination
→
11.
Delirium Superimposed on Dementia in the Elderly
beginnerdeliriumdementiageriatric psychiatry
→
12.
Panic Disorder vs Pheochromocytoma: Red Flags
advancedpanic disorderpheochromocytomamedical mimics
→
13.
Body Dysmorphic Disorder: Core Diagnostic Features
intermediatebody dysmorphic disorderDSM-5-TR criteriaOCD-related disorders
→
14.
Hoarding Disorder vs OCD: Key Distinctions
intermediatehoarding disorderOCDdifferential diagnosis
→
15.
Illness Anxiety Disorder vs Somatic Symptom Disorder
beginnerillness anxiety disordersomatic symptom disorderdifferential diagnosis
→
16.
ASD to PTSD Diagnostic Transition: Timing Criteria
intermediatePTSDacute stress disordertiming criteria
→
17.
Adjustment Disorder with Mixed Anxiety and Depressed Mood
advancedadjustment disorderdifferential diagnosisDSM-5-TR criteria
→
18.
Cyclothymic Disorder: Subthreshold Mood Cycling
intermediatecyclothymic disorderbipolar spectrumDSM-5-TR criteria
→
19.
Dissociative Identity Disorder: Clinical Recognition
advanceddissociative identity disorderdissociative disorderschildhood trauma
→
20.
Body Dysmorphic Disorder: Differentiating from OCD and Eating Disorders
intermediatebody dysmorphic disorderOCD differentialinsight specifier
→
21.
Selective Mutism: Distinguishing from Autism and Social Anxiety
intermediateselective mutismautism spectrum disordersocial anxiety
→
22.
ARFID vs Anorexia Nervosa: Differentiating Food Restriction
intermediateARFIDanorexia nervosafeeding disorders
→
23.
Trichotillomania: Classification and Differential Diagnosis
beginnertrichotillomaniaOCD-related disordershair pulling
→
24.
Excoriation (Skin-Picking) Disorder: Diagnosis and Comorbidities
beginnerexcoriation disorderskin pickingbody-focused repetitive behaviors
→
25.
Factitious Disorder: Distinguishing from Malingering and Somatic Symptom Disorder
advancedfactitious disordermalingeringsomatic symptom disorder
→
26.
Reactive Attachment Disorder vs Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder
intermediatedisinhibited social engagement disorderreactive attachment disorderattachment disorders
→
27.
Specific Learning Disorder: Assessment and When to Refer
beginnerspecific learning disorderdyslexiapsychoeducational assessment
→
28.
Gambling Disorder: Screening and Diagnostic Criteria
beginnergambling disorderbehavioral addictionDSM-5-TR classification
→
29.
Cyclothymic Disorder vs Bipolar II: Clinical Differentiation
intermediatecyclothymic disorderbipolar II differentialdiagnostic threshold
→
30.
Schizoaffective Disorder: Differentiating from Schizophrenia with Mood Episodes
advancedschizoaffective disorderschizophrenia differentialpsychotic disorders
→
31.
Agoraphobia Without Panic Disorder: Diagnostic Criteria
intermediateagoraphobiapanic disorder differentialDSM-5-TR changes
→
32.
Social Anxiety Disorder: Distinguishing from Avoidant Personality Disorder
intermediatesocial anxiety disorderavoidant personality disorderpersonality disorders
→
33.
Autism Spectrum Disorder in Adults: Late Diagnosis Presentation
advancedautism spectrum disorderadult diagnosismasking
→
34.
Binge Eating Disorder: Differentiating from Bulimia Nervosa
beginnerbinge eating disorderbulimia nervosaeating disorders
→
35.
Normal Grief vs Prolonged Grief Disorder: DSM-5-TR Distinction
intermediateprolonged grief disorderbereavementDSM-5-TR new diagnosis
→
36.
Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder vs OCD
intermediateOCPDOCD differentialpersonality disorders
→
37.
Medication-Induced Movement Disorders: Akathisia vs Restless Leg Syndrome
advancedakathisiarestless leg syndromemedication-induced movement disorders
→
38.
Unspecified Neurocognitive Disorder: Mild Cognitive Impairment Workup
intermediateneurocognitive disordermild cognitive impairmentMoCA
→
39.
Narcissistic Personality Disorder: Differential with Bipolar Grandiosity
intermediatenarcissistic personality disorderbipolar differentialgrandiosity
→
40.
Depersonalization/Derealization Disorder: Diagnostic Criteria
intermediatedepersonalizationderealizationdissociative disorders
→
41.
REM Sleep Behavior Disorder: Significance and Neurodegenerative Risk
advancedREM sleep behavior disordersynucleinopathyneurodegenerative risk
→
42.
Separation Anxiety Disorder in Adults: Underrecognized Presentation
intermediateseparation anxiety disorderadult presentationunderrecognized disorders
→
43.
Capgras Syndrome: Differential Diagnosis Approach
advancedCapgras syndromeLewy body dementiamisidentification delusions
→
44.
Elderly Depression vs Dementia: Pseudodementia Workup
intermediatepseudodementiageriatricdepression
→
45.
Pediatric Bipolar Disorder vs DMDD: Diagnostic Controversy
intermediateDMDDpediatric bipolarirritability
→
46.
Schizoaffective Disorder vs Bipolar I with Psychotic Features
advancedschizoaffective disorderbipolar I disorderpsychotic features
→
47.
Somatic Symptom Disorder: Clinical Recognition
intermediatesomatic symptom disorderillness anxiety disorderdifferential diagnosis
→
48.
Adult ADHD vs Generalized Anxiety Disorder
intermediateADHDadult ADHDgeneralized anxiety disorder
→
49.
Persistent Depressive Disorder vs MDD Recurrent
beginnerpersistent depressive disorderdysthymiamajor depressive disorder
→
50.
Bipolar II Hypomanic Episode Duration Criteria
intermediatebipolar II disorderhypomaniamania vs hypomania
→
51.
ASD to PTSD: Diagnostic Reclassification at 6 Weeks
intermediatePTSDacute stress disorderdiagnostic reclassification
→
52.
Autism Spectrum Disorder: Factors Contributing to Late Diagnosis
advancedautism spectrum disorderlate diagnosiscamouflaging
→
53.
Delirium vs Dementia. Acute Cognitive Decline Differentiation
advanceddeliriumdementiacognitive impairment
→
54.
Persistent Depressive Disorder vs MDD
intermediatepersistent depressive disorderdysthymiaMDD differential
→
55.
Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood
beginneradjustment disorderdepressed moodstressor
→
56.
Bipolar II Disorder — Hypomania Diagnosis
intermediatebipolar IIhypomaniabipolar I differential
→
57.
BPD vs Bipolar II Differentiation
advancedborderline personality disorderbipolar II differentialmood instability
→
58.
Acute Stress Disorder vs PTSD Timing
intermediateacute stress disorderPTSD differentialtrauma
→
59.
Agoraphobia as Standalone Diagnosis
intermediateagoraphobiapanic disorder differentialanxiety disorders
→
60.
Body Dysmorphic Disorder
intermediatebody dysmorphic disorderBDDOCD spectrum
→
61.
Dissociative Identity Disorder
advanceddissociative identity disorderDIDdissociation
→
62.
Dementia with Lewy Bodies Differentiation
intermediateLewy body dementiaDLBvisual hallucinations
→
63.
Alcohol Use Disorder DSM-5 Severity Classification
intermediatealcohol use disorderAUDDSM-5 severity
→
64.
Schizophreniform vs Schizophrenia Duration Criteria
intermediateschizophreniformschizophrenia differentialpsychotic disorders
→
65.
Avoidant PD vs Social Anxiety Disorder
advancedavoidant personality disordersocial anxiety disorderpersonality disorders
→
66.
Prolonged Grief Disorder (DSM-5-TR)
intermediateprolonged grief disorderDSM-5-TRbereavement
→
67.
Selective Mutism
intermediateselective mutismpediatricanxiety disorders
→
68.
Narcolepsy Type 1 vs Type 2
intermediatenarcolepsycataplexysleep disorders
→
69.
Bipolar I Depressed with Mood-Congruent Psychotic Features
advancedbipolar Ipsychotic featuresmood-congruent
→
70.
Cyclothymic Disorder — Subthreshold Cycling
intermediatecyclothymic disorderbipolar spectrumsubthreshold cycling
→
71.
Conduct Disorder vs ODD vs ASPD
intermediateconduct disorderODD differentialASPD
→
72.
Narcissistic Personality Disorder
intermediatenarcissistic personality disorderNPDpersonality disorders
→
73.
Specific Phobia, Animal Type
beginnerspecific phobiaanimal typePTSD differential
→
74.
Hoarding Disorder vs OCD
intermediatehoarding disorderOCD differentialOCD spectrum
→
75.
Trichotillomania (Hair-Pulling Disorder)
intermediatetrichotillomaniahair-pulling disorderOCD spectrum
→
76.
Frontotemporal Dementia, Behavioral Variant
intermediatefrontotemporal dementiabvFTDneurocognitive disorders
→
77.
Substance-Induced Depressive Disorder (Cocaine)
intermediatesubstance-induceddepressive disordercocaine
→
78.
Depersonalization/Derealization Disorder
intermediatedepersonalizationderealizationdissociative disorders
→
79.
Gambling Disorder — DSM-5 Addictive Disorders
intermediategambling disorderbehavioral addictionaddictive disorders
→
80.
Delusional Disorder, Persecutory Type
intermediatedelusional disorderpersecutory typeparanoid PD differential
→
81.
Conversion Disorder (Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder)
intermediateconversion disorderfunctional neurological symptom disorderFND
→
82.
Reactive Attachment Disorder
intermediatereactive attachment disorderRADneglect
→
83.
Restless Legs Syndrome vs Akathisia
intermediaterestless legs syndromeRLSakathisia differential
→
84.
HPA Axis Dysregulation in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
hardHPA axisPTSDcortisol
→
85.
Reward Circuitry in Substance Use Disorder
intermediatereward circuitryVTAnucleus accumbens
→
86.
Serotonin Syndrome Pathophysiology and Receptor Mechanisms
intermediateserotonin syndrome5-HT1A5-HT2A
→
87.
Bipolar II vs Borderline Personality Disorder
hardbipolar IIborderline personality disorderdifferential diagnosis
→
88.
Substance-Induced Psychosis vs Primary Psychotic Disorder
intermediatesubstance-induced psychosisschizophreniamethamphetamine
→
89.
Somatic Symptom Disorder vs Factitious Disorder
intermediatesomatic symptom disorderfactitious disorderdifferential diagnosis
→
90.
PTSD vs Complex PTSD Features
hardPTSDcomplex PTSDtrauma
→
91.
Late-Onset Schizophrenia vs Delirium in Elderly
hardlate-onset psychosisdeliriumelderly
→
92.
Social Anxiety Disorder vs Avoidant Personality Disorder
hardsocial anxiety disorderavoidant personality disorderdifferential diagnosis
→
93.
DMDD vs Pediatric Bipolar Disorder Differentiation
intermediateDMDDpediatric bipolar disorderchildren
→
94.
Adjustment Disorder vs MDD Diagnostic Boundaries
intermediateadjustment disordermajor depressive disorderdifferential diagnosis
→
95.
Hoarding Disorder vs OCD Relationship
intermediatehoarding disorderOCDdifferential diagnosis
→
96.
Schizoaffective Disorder vs Schizophrenia with Depression
hardschizoaffective-disorderschizophreniadifferential-diagnosis
→
97.
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder Diagnostic Criteria
intermediatePMDDpremenstrual-dysphoric-disorderdiagnostic-criteria
→
98.
Illness Anxiety Disorder Assessment
intermediateillness-anxiety-disordersomatic-symptom-disordershypochondriasis
→
99.
Selective Mutism in Children
intermediateselective-mutismchildhood-anxietypediatric-assessment
→
100.
Delusional Disorder vs Psychotic Features in Depression
harddelusional-disorderpsychotic-depressionpersecutory-delusions
→
101.
Binge Eating Disorder vs Bulimia Nervosa Differentiation
intermediatebinge-eating-disorderbulimia-nervosaeating-disorders
→
102.
Reactive Attachment Disorder vs DSED
hardreactive-attachment-disorderDSEDchildhood-disorders
→
103.
Intermittent Explosive Disorder Assessment
intermediateintermittent-explosive-disorderimpulse-controlaggression
→
104.
Body Dysmorphic Disorder vs Eating Disorder
hardbody-dysmorphic-disordereating-disordersOCD-related
→
105.
Neurocognitive Disorder Differentiation
hardneurocognitive-disorderLewy-bodyAlzheimers
→
106.
Acute Stress Disorder vs PTSD Timeline
intermediateacute-stress-disorderPTSDtrauma
→
107.
Cyclothymic Disorder vs Bipolar II
hardcyclothymic disorderbipolar IImood disorders
→
108.
Major Neurocognitive Disorder Workup
intermediatemajor neurocognitive disorderdementia workupMoCA
→
109.
ADHD in Adults with Comorbid Anxiety
hardadult ADHDGADcomorbid anxiety
→
110.
Double Depression: PDD with Major Depressive Episodes
hardpersistent depressive disorderdouble depressionmajor depressive episode
→
111.
Autism Spectrum Disorder in Adult Females
hardautism spectrum disorderadult femalesmasking
→
112.
Substance/Medication-Induced Depressive Disorder
hardsubstance-induced depressive disorderalcohol use disordercollateral history
→
113.
Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder vs OCD
intermediateOCPDOCDpersonality disorders
→
114.
Specific Learning Disorder Comorbid with ADHD
intermediatespecific learning disorderADHDcomorbidity
→
115.
Conversion Disorder (Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder)
intermediateconversion disorderfunctional neurological symptom disorderHoover sign
→
116.
Sleep-Wake Disorder Differential Diagnosis
intermediatenarcolepsycataplexysleep-wake disorders
→
117.
Gender Dysphoria Assessment Considerations
hardgender dysphoriaadolescent assessmentcomprehensive evaluation
→
118.
Peripartum Onset Depressive Disorder
intermediateperipartum depressionpostpartum depressionEPDS
→
119.
Kindling Model in Bipolar Illness Progression
intermediatekindling theorybipolar disorderillness progression
→
120.
Stress-Diathesis Model and Psychiatric Vulnerability
intermediatestress-diathesisgene-environment interactionpsychosis
→
121.
Medication-Induced Tardive Dyskinesia
intermediatetardive dyskinesiamedication-induced movement disorderAIMS
→
122.
Trichotillomania vs Alopecia Areata
intermediatetrichotillomaniaalopecia areatahair-pulling disorder
→
123.
Personality Disorder Cluster Differentiation
intermediatepersonality disorderscluster Aschizoid personality disorder
→
124.
Brief Psychotic Disorder vs Schizophreniform
intermediatebrief psychotic disorderschizophreniform disorderpsychotic disorders
→
125.
Excoriation (Skin-Picking) Disorder
intermediateexcoriation disorderskin-picking disorderbody-focused repetitive behavior
→
126.
Childhood Separation Anxiety vs School Refusal
intermediateseparation anxiety disorderschool refusalchildhood anxiety
→
127.
Depersonalization/Derealization Disorder
harddepersonalizationderealizationdissociative disorders
→
128.
Rumination Disorder in an Adult
hardrumination disorderfeeding and eating disordersregurgitation
→
129.
Nocturnal Panic Attacks Differential
hardnocturnal panic attackspanic disordersleep terrors
→
130.
Prolonged Grief Disorder (DSM-5-TR)
hardprolonged grief disorderDSM-5-TRbereavement
→
131.
Caffeine Withdrawal vs Anxiety Disorder
intermediatecaffeine withdrawalsubstance-related disordersgeneralized anxiety disorder differential
→
132.
Acute Confusion in Alcohol Use Disorder
hardwernicke-encephalopathyhepatic-encephalopathyalcohol-use-disorder
→
133.
Personality Change and Disinhibition in a 58-Year-Old
hardfrontotemporal-dementiabipolar-disorderdisinhibition
→
134.
Excessive Daytime Sleepiness with Emotional Collapse Episodes
intermediatenarcolepsycataplexysleep-disorders
→
135.
Psychosis and Seizures in a Young Woman
hardautoimmune-encephalitisanti-NMDA-receptorpsychosis
→
136.
Sustained Involuntary Neck Posturing in a Psychiatric Patient
hardtardive-dystoniaacute-dystoniaextrapyramidal-symptoms
→
137.
Sleep Apnea Differentiation in a Patient on Opioids
hardcentral-sleep-apneaobstructive-sleep-apneaopioid-induced
→
138.
Depression and Weight Gain with Physical Findings
intermediatecushing-syndromehypercortisolismtreatment-resistant-depression
→
139.
Young Adult with Personality Change and Liver Dysfunction
hardwilson-diseasecopper-metabolismkayser-fleischer-rings
→
140.
Gait Difficulty and Apathy in an Older Adult
hardnormal-pressure-hydrocephalushakim-triadreversible-dementia
→
141.
Episodic Hypertension with Paroxysmal Anxiety
hardpheochromocytomapanic-disordercatecholamines
→
142.
Episodic Deja Vu with Behavioral Arrest and Automatisms
hardtemporal-lobe-epilepsygeschwind-syndromeautomatisms
→
143.
New-Onset Psychosis with Macrocytic Anemia and Neurological Findings
intermediatevitamin-B12-deficiencysubacute-combined-degenerationpsychosis
→
144.
Hypothyroidism Presenting as Depression
hardhypothyroidismmedical-mimicstreatment-resistant-depression
→
145.
Cerebrovascular Accident Mimicking Psychiatric Symptoms
hardcerebrovascular-accidentstrokeneurological-emergency
→
146.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea Mimicking Treatment-Resistant Depression
hardobstructive-sleep-apneatreatment-resistant-depressionsleep-disorders
→
147.
Hyperthyroidism Presenting as Anxiety and Mania
hardhyperthyroidismGraves-diseasemania
→
148.
Differentiating MDD with Psychotic Features from Schizoaffective Disorder
hardMDDpsychotic featuresschizoaffective disorder
→
149.
Diagnosing Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder
hardARFIDeating disordersadolescent
→
150.
Diagnosing Kleptomania vs Antisocial Behavior
hardkleptomaniaimpulse control disordersantisocial personality disorder
→
151.
Diagnosing Shared Psychotic Disorder (Folie a Deux)
hardshared psychotic disorderfolie a deuxdelusional disorder
→
152.
Diagnosing Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
hardPMDDpremenstrual dysphoric disordermenstrual cycle
→
153.
Diagnosing Cannabis-Induced Psychosis
hardcannabissubstance-induced psychosisTHC
→
154.
Diagnosing Delirium Tremens Presentation
moderatedelirium tremensalcohol withdrawalCIWA-Ar
→
155.
Diagnosing Obsessive Jealousy (Pathological Jealousy)
hardpathological jealousyOCDdelusional disorder
→
156.
Diagnosing Prolonged Grief Disorder vs PTSD
hardprolonged grief disorderPTSDbereavement
→
157.
Diagnosing Neurodevelopmental Disorder in Adults (Missed Childhood ADHD)
hardADHDinattentive typeadult diagnosis
→
158.
Diagnosing Factitious Disorder with Psychological Symptoms
hardfactitious disorderMunchausen syndromepsychosis differential
→
159.
SSRI Discontinuation Syndrome Identification
intermediateSSRIdiscontinuation syndromeparoxetine
→
160.
Differentiating Bipolar II from Borderline Personality Disorder: Episodic Mood Pattern
intermediatebipolar IIborderline personality disorderdifferential diagnosis
→
161.
Differentiating Bipolar II from BPD: Interpersonal Reactivity and Affective Instability
hardborderline personality disorderbipolar IIdifferential diagnosis
→
162.
PTSD versus Complex PTSD: Distinguishing Self-Organization Disturbances
hardPTSDcomplex PTSDICD-11
→
163.
PTSD versus Complex PTSD: Assessment and Conceptualization Differences
intermediatePTSDcomplex PTSDcombat trauma
→
164.
Neurocognitive Disorder Screening: Lewy Body Dementia versus Alzheimer's Disease
hardLewy body dementianeurocognitive disorderAlzheimer's disease
→
165.
Neurocognitive Disorder Screening: Frontotemporal Dementia Mimicking Psychiatric Illness
hardfrontotemporal dementianeurocognitive disorderbehavioral disinhibition
→
166.
Substance-Induced Psychotic Disorder versus Primary Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorder
intermediatesubstance-induced psychosismethamphetamineschizophrenia
→
167.
Alcohol-Induced Depressive Disorder versus Primary Major Depressive Disorder
intermediatealcohol-induced depressionsubstance-induced mood disordermajor depressive disorder
→
168.
Suicidality Assessment Using the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale
intermediatesuicide assessmentColumbia Suicide Severity Rating ScaleC-SSRS
→
169.
Suicidality Assessment: Limitations of Validated Tools and Clinical Judgment
hardsuicide assessmentSAD PERSONSclinical judgment
→
170.
Culturally Sensitive Diagnostic Considerations: Somatic Presentation of Depression
intermediatecultural competencesomatic presentationdepression
→
171.
Culturally Sensitive Diagnosis: Addressing Diagnostic Bias and the Cultural Formulation Interview
hardcultural competencediagnostic biasCultural Formulation Interview
→

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🔎 Assess (33%)📝 Plan (26%)📊 Evaluate (20%)

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