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Chapter 1.Differential Diagnosis Step by Step

https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9781585629992.mf01

Sections

Step 1: Rule Out Malingering and Factitious Disorder | Step 2: Rule Out Substance Etiology (Including Drugs of Abuse, Medications) | Step 3: Rule Out a Disorder Due to a General Medical Condition | Step 4: Determine the Specific Primary Disorder(s) | Step 5: Differentiate Adjustment Disorders From the Residual Other Specified or Unspecified Disorders | Step 6: Establish the Boundary With No Mental Disorder | Differential Diagnosis and Comorbidity | How to Use the Handbook: Case Example

Excerpt

The process of DSM-5 differential diagnosis can be broken down into six basic steps: 1) ruling out Malingering and Factitious Disorder, 2) ruling out a substance etiology, 3) ruling out an etiological medical condition, 4) determining the specific primary disorder(s), 5) differentiating Adjustment Disorder from the residual Other Specified and Unspecified conditions, and 6) establishing the boundary with no mental disorder. A thorough review of this chapter provides a useful framework for understanding and applying the decision trees presented in the next chapter.

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