Mental Health Technician Certification (AMCA) Practice Test

According to DSM-IV-TR Axis guidelines, which of the following is considered a clinical disorder?

1. Anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and substance use

2. Mood disorders, personality disorders, and schizophrenia

3. Mood disorders, substance use, and schizophrenic disorders

4. Obsessive-compulsive disorders and mood disorders

The correct answer is: Mood disorders, substance use, and schizophrenic disorders

The answer identifies mood disorders, substance use disorders, and schizophrenic disorders as clinical disorders according to the DSM-IV-TR Axis guidelines. This classification is important in understanding the structure of the DSM system. Clinical disorders fall under Axis I of the DSM-IV-TR, which includes a variety of mental health issues that significantly disrupt a person's daily functioning. Mood disorders, such as major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder, impact emotional regulation and can severely affect daily life and overall well-being. Substance use disorders involve the abuse of drugs or alcohol, leading to significant impairment or distress. Schizophrenic disorders, which include schizophrenia, are severe mental disorders affecting thought processes, perceptions, and emotional responsiveness. Each of these disorders is characterized by specific symptoms and diagnostic criteria that can lead to significant functional impairment, validating their classification as clinical disorders. Contextually, while options may present other combinations of disorders, they may include categories such as personality disorders, which are classified under Axis II of the DSM-IV-TR and are considered more stable, pervasive patterns of behavior that may not fluctuate in the same way clinical disorders do.