Comprehensive exams for Mental Health Q 139
Nurse Greta is aware that the following is classified as an Axis I disorder by the Diagnosis and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR) is:
A. Obesity
B. Borderline personality disorder
C. Major depression
D. Hypertension
Correct Answer: C. Major depression
The DSM-IV-TR classifies major depression as an Axis I disorder. Axis I disorders tend to be the most commonly found in the public. They include anxiety disorders, such as panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Other examples of Axis I disorders are as follows: Dissociative disorders. Eating disorders (anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, etc.) Mood disorders (major depression, bipolar disorder, etc.) Published by the American Psychiatric Association, the DSM is the mental health bible of sorts. The DSM-IV organized all psychiatric disorders and other problems into five different categories or axes.
Option A: Obesity was in Axis III. DSM-IV approached psychiatric assessment and organization of biopsychosocial information using a multi-axial formulation (American Psychiatric Association, 2013b). There were five different axes. Axis I consisted of mental health and substance use disorders (SUDs); Axis II was reserved for personality disorders and mental retardation; Axis III was used for coding general medical conditions; Axis IV was to note psychosocial and environmental problems (e.g., housing, employment); and Axis V was an assessment of overall functioning known as the GAF.
Option B: Mental disorders are diagnosed according to a manual published by the American Psychiatric Association called the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. A diagnosis under the fourth edition of this manual, which was often referred to as simply the DSM-IV, had five parts, called axes. Each axis of this multi-axial system gave a different type of information about the diagnosis. Borderline personality disorder as an Axis II. Axis II provided information about personality disorders and mental retardation.
Option D: Hypertension was in Axis III. Axis III provided information about any medical conditions that were present which might impact the patient’s mental disorder or its management. General Medical Condition (GMC) Axis III is for reporting current general medical conditions that are potentially relevant to the understanding or management of the individual’s mental disorder. The purpose of recording General Medical Conditions on Axis III is to encourage thoroughness in evaluation/assessment and to enhance communication among healthcare providers. Axis III also ensures that medical or physical conditions that can directly or indirectly influence management and treatment are not forgotten.