Differential Diagnosis in Psych

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Specializes in psychiatric.

Hi, I have a question regarding the DSM-5. I have clinical starting next semester and I wanted to do some reading before then. I was hoping to get some advice on differential diagnosis. I am seeing that some psych people feel differential has no place in psych and is more a medical decision tree. Any opinions from experienced NP's? Do you have any recommendations on companion books to the DSM-5 ? TIA

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We have a lot of "iffy" diagnosis but I bet you meant "differential diagnosis." Differential diagnosis are as much a part of the psych scene as any other. Yesterday, a patient came in for her 3rd visit with me and showed me the notes she had taken since her last visit. She had 1 day where she woke up feeling really happy and took off walking early one morning from her home in one city to an exit on the interstate at another city about 18 miles away. Then she turned around and walked back, singing and dancing all the way. She arrived back home and played video games till about 7 am the next morning before going to sleep. Up until this point she had been diagnosed with Adjustment Disorder with Depression and Insomnia. Start working on this homework assignment!

"DSM-5 Made Easy" by James Morrison is the best companion book and I would even buy it before the DSM-5.

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
We have a lot of "iffy" diagnosis but I bet you meant "differential diagnosis." Differential diagnosis are as much a part of the psych scene as any other. Yesterday, a patient came in for her 3rd visit with me and showed me the notes she had taken since her last visit. She had 1 day where she woke up feeling really happy and took off walking early one morning from her home in one city to an exit on the interstate at another city about 18 miles away. Then she turned around and walked back, singing and dancing all the way. She arrived back home and played video games till about 7 am the next morning before going to sleep. Up until this point she had been diagnosed with Adjustment Disorder with Depression and Insomnia. Start working on this homework assignment!

"DSM-5 Made Easy" by James Morrison is the best companion book and I would even buy it before the DSM-5.

The good news is she wasn't misdiagnosed with Bipolar DO at the age of 12yo because she was aggressive and impulsive. ;) I use the DSM5 and feel providers who give definitive diagnosis without ensuring the patient meets the full criteria are doing a disservice.

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Specializes in psychiatric.

Thanks Zenman for the suggestion. I looked at it on amazon and it sounds like what I am looking for. I had not seen this author when browsing for companion books previously.

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Check out his other books also. They are all great.

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Specializes in Psychiatric Nursing.

Thanks Zenman! I will check also!

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