A client insists that their excessive handwashing is “just part of my culture’s purity rituals,” yet their hands are raw, and they wash even when it prevents them from working. Which best reflects the clinician’s next step?

A 21-year-old reports auditory hallucinations commanding him to hurt himself. Which immediate ethical consideration takes priority?

In the diathesis-stress model, which scenario best illustrates the role of stress?

A 30-year-old woman experiences sudden paralysis of her legs after witnessing a traumatic car accident, but no medical explanation is found. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Which differentiates Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) from Schizophrenia?

A client with Major Depressive Disorder is prescribed CBT. Which intervention BEST illustrates the cognitive model?

A clinical psychologist is asked to diagnose a teenager showing substance-induced psychosis. The parents insist not to document the substance use to “avoid stigma.” According to the PAP Code of Ethics, what should the psychologist do?

Which client presentation MOST reflects obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD) rather than obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)?

During the COVID-19 pandemic, a nurse reports burnout, insomnia, and feelings of helplessness after repeated exposure to patient deaths. Which disorder is MOST applicable?

A 10-year-old boy consistently violates rules, bullies classmates, and shows no remorse. Which diagnosis is MOST appropriate?

In DSM-I (1952), most disorders were described as:

A clinician uses the MMPI-2 to assess a client. The profile reveals high scores in Hypochondriasis and Hysteria but normal Depression. This suggests:

A 45-year-old teacher reports persistent sadness, guilt, and suicidal thoughts. Which test would be most appropriate to quantify severity of depressive symptoms?

Which major change occurred in DSM-5 compared to DSM-IV?

A client insists that government spies are tracking his every move. Which psychological test could help assess thought disorder and psychotic features?

In diagnosing intellectual disability, which two areas must be impaired according to DSM-5?

A 25-year-old woman experiences recurrent panic attacks and avoids malls, public transport, and theaters due to fear of escape being difficult. Diagnosis?

A psychologist notes that a client’s paranoia may be influenced by cultural context (e.g., political oppression). Which ethical principle from the PAP Code applies?

A young man with bipolar disorder reports that he is a “chosen prophet” during a manic episode. Which DSM-5 symptom cluster does this reflect?

A client presents with hallucinations and delusions for 3 weeks, but does not yet meet the full 1-month duration for schizophrenia. Most likely diagnosis?

Which phase of schizophrenia is characterized by social withdrawal, decline in functioning, and subtle odd behaviors before the first psychotic break?

A patient reports recurrent panic attacks but does not meet full criteria for Panic Disorder. The psychologist diagnoses:

According to global prevalence data, which disorder is the leading cause of disability worldwide?

Among psychiatric disorders, which carries the highest mortality rate?

Which population is statistically least likely to seek mental health treatment?

A man experiences psychotic symptoms for 8 months without mood episodes. Which is the BEST diagnosis?

A client meets criteria for Major Depressive Disorder but specifies it began after giving birth. DSM-5 allows the specifier:

The residual phase of schizophrenia is characterized by:

Which group has the highest treatment gap (largest proportion of untreated cases) for mental disorders worldwide?

During a suicide risk assessment, a psychologist recalls Durkheim’s theory. A college student with no strong social ties or support network exhibits hopelessness and withdrawal. According to Durkheim, this is most consistent with:

A patient with schizophrenia shows sudden pauses in speech, insertion of unrelated words, and incoherent “word salad.” Which subtype of symptoms is most evident?

A client insists he does not need treatment despite showing chronic irritability, impulsivity, and disregard for others’ rights. Which disorder is most commonly perceived by clients themselves as “normal” and least likely to seek treatment?

A 9-year-old boy in Manila is diagnosed with ADHD. He shows difficulty sustaining attention, frequently interrupts others, and is overly active. Which subtype is most likely?

A young adult presents with intrusive thoughts about contamination and spends hours washing his hands, leading to cracked skin. Which defense mechanism is most prominent in this presentation?

Under RA 11036 (Philippine Mental Health Act), which of the following is emphasized as a client’s right?

A clinical psychologist is diagnosing a patient with comorbid Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder. According to the PAP Code of Ethics, the psychologist should:

A Filipino adolescent spends more than 8 hours daily gaming, leading to failing grades, irritability, and withdrawal from peers. DSM-5 categorizes this as:

A 40-year-old overseas Filipino worker (OFW) returns home after retrenchment during the COVID-19 pandemic. He shows irritability, insomnia, and difficulty adapting for 4 months, but does not meet full criteria for MDD. Most likely diagnosis is:

Which personality disorder is most strongly associated with the Dark Triad traits (narcissism, Machiavellianism, psychopathy)?

A 26-year-old woman presents with alternating periods of elevated mood lasting 4 days and depressive episodes lasting 1 week. The elevated periods are noticeable but not severely impairing. The most likely diagnosis is:

A client with schizophrenia shows sudden motor immobility, waxy flexibility, and echolalia. This presentation is most consistent with which subtype?

A 60-year-old man with progressive memory decline, impaired reasoning, and personality change is likely experiencing:

According to Philippine DOH surveys, the most commonly reported mental health condition nationwide is:

A psychologist receives referral of a student with suspected ADHD. According to ethical guidelines and best practice, the most appropriate first step is to:

A 24-year-old client describes persistent hopelessness after repeated job rejections and says, “I tried everything and nothing works” — the therapist considers Seligman’s learned helplessness when conceptualizing the case; symptoms include low mood, poor effort, and passive coping for 5 months. Most likely diagnosis?

A 29-year-old reports hearing a voice from his phone’s assistant telling him he’s “chosen” and that the AI will watch over him; he begins to withdraw, loses sleep, and develops grandiose beliefs after prolonged, immersive chatbot interactions. This presentation — discussed recently in literature on “AI psychosis” — most closely fits:

Using Mowrer’s Two-Factor Theory, which learning process best explains the persistence of avoidance in a trauma survivor with PTSD who now avoids crowded places?

A middle-aged man with recurrent major depressive episodes presents with suicidal ideation and a history of previous attempts; epidemiological reviews indicate which diagnostic group has among the highest suicide mortality rates and should thus receive prioritized risk assessment?

A 17-year-old female presents with deliberate self-cutting after a breakup; chart review shows past diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder and recent binge-alcohol episodes. Research on self-harm indicates which comorbidity most strongly elevates risk of repeated self-harm?

Freud’s perspectives surface during case formulation: a client’s somatic complaints with little medical basis are best conceptualized (from a psychodynamic angle) as:

A 34-year-old male with alcohol use disorder also shows high levels of callousness and manipulativeness; which “Dark Triad” trait most strongly maps onto his lack of remorse and risk of criminal behaviors?

In the Philippines, younger generations report higher past-year prevalence of anxiety and depression compared with older adults; when designing a population screening program at university clinics, which two disorders should be prioritized based on generational prevalence and help-seeking patterns?

A client with OCD performs time-consuming rituals and recognizes them as unreasonable; treatment planning per best practice suggests which first-line intervention?

A clinical team must decide whether to involuntarily hospitalize a patient who is actively suicidal and refuses treatment — this life-threatening ethical dilemma with legal implications is best handled by:

A 32-year-old client with GAD reports chronic worry, muscle tension, and difficulty sleeping. Neurobiological studies suggest dysregulation of which neurotransmitter is most implicated in his symptoms?

A psychologist in the Philippines is asked to administer a test for cognitive decline in a 72-year-old suspected of early Alzheimer’s disease. Which screening tool is most appropriate?

In patients with Major Depressive Disorder, Aaron Beck emphasized the cognitive triad involving negative views of:

According to the PAP Code of Ethics, when a psychologist discovers that their client is a cousin they previously had unresolved conflict with, the most ethical step is to:

A 45-year-old man with schizophrenia shows delusions of persecution and auditory hallucinations. Research shows this is linked to overactivity of which neurotransmitter pathway?

A child with suspected ADHD is assessed in a Philippine school setting. Best practice requires using:

A 70-year-old woman with Alzheimer’s disease shows progressive memory loss. Pathophysiology studies highlight decline in which neurotransmitter crucial for learning and memory?

A client presents with excessive fear of social interactions, blushing, and avoidance of public speaking. Which evidence-based psychometric test would best assess severity of this disorder?

A Filipino adolescent female presents with low mood, worthlessness, and suicidal thoughts. Based on neurochemical changes in depression, which alteration is most consistent?

A psychologist suspects malingering in a client seeking academic accommodations for ADHD. According to the PAP Code of Ethics, the psychologist should:

A 35-year-old male cannot resist betting large sums despite financial ruin. He reports craving, increasing bets, and failed attempts to stop. Which DSM-5 diagnosis best fits?

A 28-year-old woman arranges her desk symmetrically, becomes distressed when items are slightly misaligned, but does not spend excessive time on rituals. This is most consistent with:

A 30-year-old male presents with sexual arousal from women’s shoes, which he collects secretly. He is functioning well, has no distress, and partners are consenting. Ethically, the psychologist should:

Which fetish is consistently found in research as among the most common globally, raising diagnostic debates when consensual and non-distressing?

A man with borderline personality disorder engages in recurrent self-harm after interpersonal conflicts. This pattern reflects which core feature of BPD?

A 47-year-old woman presents with compulsive hand-washing for hours, causing bleeding and lateness for work. Which feature differentiates OCD from obsessive-compulsive personality traits?

A Filipino college student engages in repeated binge drinking and risky behaviors, reporting “I just can’t stop once I start.” Which screening test is most widely used for substance use assessment?

A 31-year-old male has intrusive urges to expose himself to strangers, which he finds sexually arousing. He has acted on these urges in public parks. Which DSM-5 diagnosis best applies?

According to WHO (2023), the most common mental health disorders globally are:

A 14-year-old student reports sadness, irritability, and withdrawal after bullying. WHO and UNICEF data show that depression is currently among the leading causes of illness and disability for which age group?

A client presents with recurrent panic attacks but also constant worry, muscle tension, and restlessness lasting 7 months. Differentiating features suggest:

A 35-year-old woman reports binge eating twice a week, no compensatory behaviors, and distress about lack of control. Which is the most fitting diagnosis?

A 20-year-old male has intense fear of scrutiny, avoids public speaking, and worries excessively about embarrassment. Which differentiates Social Anxiety Disorder from Avoidant Personality Disorder?

UNICEF reports that nearly 1 in 7 adolescents worldwide experience a mental disorder. In the Philippines, which condition is most commonly reported among this age group?

A 60-year-old Filipino man presents with sudden onset of weakness, confusion, and stepwise cognitive decline after repeated strokes. Which neurocognitive disorder is most likely?

A 19-year-old female presents with depressive symptoms for 2 weeks that do not fully meet criteria for Major Depressive Disorder. Which DSM-5 diagnosis best applies?

A client is facing trial for theft and is referred for psychological evaluation. The psychologist is requested to administer a Level C instrument that assesses malingering and symptom exaggeration. Which tool is most appropriate?

A 26-year-old woman with schizophrenia and substance use disorder presents with paranoid delusions. According to DSM-5, how should the clinician code this case?

A psychologist is asked to provide IQ testing for a criminal defendant. During cross-examination, the lawyer demands raw data. According to the PAP Code of Ethics, the psychologist should:

A patient with Alzheimer’s disease is administered the WAIS-IV. Which subtest score decline is most indicative of neurocognitive deterioration?

A 29-year-old male with Antisocial Personality Disorder commits repeated thefts and shows no remorse. He requests therapy to avoid prison sentence. Ethically, the psychologist should:

A 27-year-old client reports intrusive thoughts about harming her baby but resists them and has no intention of acting. Which DSM-5 category best fits?

During a forensic assessment, a psychologist administers the MMPI-2-RF. Elevations on the RCd (Demoralization) and RC8 (Aberrant Experiences) subscales suggest:

A 25-year-old male client reports binge drinking, impulsivity, and unstable relationships. He scores high on the Borderline Features scale of the PAI. Which core feature is being measured?

A 29-year-old celebrity, who happens to be the psychometrician’s long-time celebrity crush from a hit drama film, seeks therapy and requests confidentiality due to fear of publicity. How should the psychometrician approach this case?

A 40-year-old woman presents with compulsive counting behaviors but recognizes they are irrational. On the Y-BOCS, higher scores indicate:

A 34-year-old woman, pregnant and currently abused by her husband, seeks therapy with her former romantic partner who is now a psychometrician. She says she wants to reunite with him to feel safe. The ethical dilemma here primarily concerns:

A police officer who is also a psychometrician is called to the scene where a man, later identified as Cpl. Winston Ragos (diagnosed with schizophrenia), is brandishing a bag and appears disoriented. In the lens of psychology, what should be the priority intervention?

A 21-year-old college student presents with sadness, low energy, and insomnia. On the BDI-II, a total score of 30 indicates:

A 30-year-old man becomes the suspect in a mall hostage crisis. Witnesses report: (a) impulsive lying and disregard for lives, (b) fire-setting near exits, (c) yelling about conspiracies against him, and (d) alternating rage and elated shouting. As a first responder with psychology background, the immediate ethical priority is:

A young psychologist during WWII argued for classifying soldiers’ traumatic reactions as a disorder, leading to the foundation of modern trauma diagnoses. This reflects the early history of which condition?

Which pioneer is credited as the “father of modern psychiatry” and advocated for humane treatment of the mentally ill in France during the late 18th century?

A psychometrician is tasked to evaluate a death row inmate. The inmate’s family begs for a lenient report to reduce the sentence. According to ethical principles, the psychometrician should:

Select the odd one out.

What are the 5Ds of psychopathology?