Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) requires at least 5 symptoms (including depressed mood or anhedonia) for a minimum 2-week period. The client presents with depressed mood, anhedonia, weight loss, and concentration difficulties for 3 weeks — meeting MDD criteria. Persistent Depressive Disorder (A) requires 2+ years. Adjustment Disorder (C) follows a specific stressor. Bipolar II (D) requires at least one hypomanic episode.

A biopsychosocial assessment is a comprehensive evaluation examining three interconnected domains: biological factors (medical history, medications), psychological factors (mental health history, coping), and social factors (support systems, housing, culture). It is the foundational assessment framework in social work practice.

The Tarasoff duty to warn requires social workers to take reasonable steps to protect identifiable third parties from serious, credible threats. This includes warning the intended victim and notifying law enforcement. Confidentiality (A) does not apply when there is imminent danger to an identified third party. Documentation alone (C) is insufficient. Referral only (D) does not fulfill the duty to warn the potential victim.

A genogram is a pictorial representation of family relationships and history across multiple generations. Its PRIMARY purpose is to identify patterns, relationships, roles, and dynamics within a family system. While it can inform treatment planning (D), diagnosis (B), or eligibility determinations (C), the genogram’s core purpose is family pattern analysis.

The Strengths-Based perspective focuses on identifying and amplifying client strengths, resources, and past successes rather than deficits and problems. Asking about the client’s longest period of sobriety and what factors contributed is a classic strengths-based intervention.

Grandiosity, rapid speech, and decreased need for sleep for 5 days with significant functioning impairment points towards Bipolar I (manic episode). Bipolar II requires hypomania (less severe) and depression, while Cyclothymia requires 2+ years of fluctuating subclinical symptoms.

Under the Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and generalist intervention model, physical safety and basic survival needs (shelter, medical care, food) must be addressed FIRST before therapeutic interventions can begin.

A Mental Status Exam (MSE) is a structured clinical assessment tool used to evaluate a client’s immediate cognitive functioning, orientation, appearance, behavior, speech, thought process, mood, and affect.

Severe alcohol withdrawal carries high risk of seizures and delirium tremens, which can be fatal. The first priority is safety, requiring a referral to a medically managed detoxification program.

The key differentiator is body weight. Anorexia Nervosa requires restriction of energy intake leading to a significantly low body weight. Bulimia Nervosa involves binge eating and compensatory behaviors but individuals are typically at normal weight or overweight.

The parents or primary caregivers are the primary sources of historical developmental information in early childhood assessments, supplemented by observation and records.

An ecomap visually maps the client’s environmental systems, relationships, community resources, and support networks. A genogram focus is biological/family relationship history.

Active hallucinations require a medical and psychiatric evaluation first to rule out organic medical causes (e.g. brain injury, thyroid issues, substance intoxication) and establish psychiatric stabilization.

Panic Disorder is characterized by recurrent, unexpected panic attacks that peak within minutes. GAD is characterized by persistent, excessive anxiety and worry about various domains lasting at least 6 months.

Physical symptoms like cold intolerance, fatigue, and weight gain are classic indicators of hypothyroidism, a medical condition that mimics depression. A medical evaluation must be completed first.