IDIS 199 STUDY GUIDE 2026 EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS SCORED A+
✔✔Physical signs and symptoms of anxiety - ✔✔restlessness
chest tightness
muscle tension
shortness of breath/hyperventilation
GI upset
headaches
sweaty palms
butterflies
appetite changes
blushing/flushing
fatigue/low energy
rapid pressured speech
✔✔Behavioural Signs and symptoms of anxiety - ✔✔avoidance of feared situations
- ex. public speaking
short temper
angry
difficulty sleeping
- falling and/or staying asleep
difficulty concentrating
distracted by worries
forgetfulness
✔✔male or female: anxiety and depression more common - ✔✔female
✔✔Depression signs and symptoms - Emotional/cognitive - ✔✔sad and depressed
loss of enjoyment
difficulty concentrating/remembering
hopelessness
guilt
suicidal thoughts
✔✔Physical signs and symptoms of depression - ✔✔changes in sleep
- more or less than usual
changes in appetite
- more or less than usual
slowed down movements
agitated and restless
pain
headaches
,✔✔Behavioural signs and symptoms of depression - ✔✔withdrawal from friends and
family
staying in more
missing commitments
thinking about past bad memories/experiences
difficulty with decision making
✔✔Things to pay attention to: stress vs mental disorder - ✔✔Disproportionate reaction
- symptoms and level of associated distress are disproportionate
time
- persistent for an extended period of time beyond the stressor
impairment
- associated symptoms interfere with daily life
off behaviour
- a noticeable difference in personality
- doesn't seem themselves - 'off'
✔✔How is a mental disorder diagnosed? - ✔✔Assessment and diagnosis by a mental
health professional takes into account psychological and social context of the
presenting symptoms and other risk/protective factors
✔✔Factors considered when diagnosing a mental disorder - ✔✔developmental history
family history
symptoms and course
treatment
other factors
relational and social factors
✔✔Diagnostic Mental disorder factors - Developmental history - ✔✔early trauma or
abuse
academic history
✔✔Diagnostic Mental disorder factors - Family history - ✔✔family history of mental
disorders to identify predisposition
genetic and familial vulnerability
✔✔Diagnostic Mental disorder factors - Symptoms - ✔✔clinical course of distressing
and impairing symptoms
onset and nature (chronic vs episodic)
relationship to context/stressors
, ✔✔Diagnostic Mental disorder factors - Treatment - ✔✔response or worsening to
treatments already tried
other physical or medical problems that might be contributing
✔✔Diagnostic Mental disorder factors - Relational and Social Factors - ✔✔nature of
relationships
social connectedness
environment
✔✔Diagnostic Mental disorder factors - Other Factors - ✔✔use of alcohol and/or
recreational or illicit drugs and/or current stressors
✔✔Who do students contact first in the circle of mental health? 2nd? 3rd? 4th? -
✔✔Counsellors => family med => psychologist => psychiatry
✔✔Counselling - ✔✔Short-term and problem-focused
healthy coping during periods of stress, strengthening problem-solving skills, managing
emotional responses
✔✔Primary Care Provider - ✔✔thought of as the quarterback at the center of healthcare
first line for assessment of a mental health concern
provide continuity and coordinate care
should be kept up to date with new treatments
✔✔Psychological Therapy - ✔✔AKA psychotherapy
well-suited to help support young people with emotional, social, and mental health
problems
usually moderate severity
✔✔Psychiatry - ✔✔moderate to severe mental health concerns
major depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar and psychotic disorders, substance use
disorders
✔✔What is stepped care? - ✔✔reps a progressive increase in the level or intensity of
treatment and the expertise brought to bear into the treatment
an appropriate level of treatment for the symptoms (not too much not too little)
✔✔what is counselling meant to treat? - ✔✔short-term and problem focused counselling
✔✔what is family med meant to treat? - ✔✔centre of care model coordinate between
levels
✔✔what is psychotherapy meant to treat? - ✔✔mild to moderate mental health issues
ANSWERS SCORED A+
✔✔Physical signs and symptoms of anxiety - ✔✔restlessness
chest tightness
muscle tension
shortness of breath/hyperventilation
GI upset
headaches
sweaty palms
butterflies
appetite changes
blushing/flushing
fatigue/low energy
rapid pressured speech
✔✔Behavioural Signs and symptoms of anxiety - ✔✔avoidance of feared situations
- ex. public speaking
short temper
angry
difficulty sleeping
- falling and/or staying asleep
difficulty concentrating
distracted by worries
forgetfulness
✔✔male or female: anxiety and depression more common - ✔✔female
✔✔Depression signs and symptoms - Emotional/cognitive - ✔✔sad and depressed
loss of enjoyment
difficulty concentrating/remembering
hopelessness
guilt
suicidal thoughts
✔✔Physical signs and symptoms of depression - ✔✔changes in sleep
- more or less than usual
changes in appetite
- more or less than usual
slowed down movements
agitated and restless
pain
headaches
,✔✔Behavioural signs and symptoms of depression - ✔✔withdrawal from friends and
family
staying in more
missing commitments
thinking about past bad memories/experiences
difficulty with decision making
✔✔Things to pay attention to: stress vs mental disorder - ✔✔Disproportionate reaction
- symptoms and level of associated distress are disproportionate
time
- persistent for an extended period of time beyond the stressor
impairment
- associated symptoms interfere with daily life
off behaviour
- a noticeable difference in personality
- doesn't seem themselves - 'off'
✔✔How is a mental disorder diagnosed? - ✔✔Assessment and diagnosis by a mental
health professional takes into account psychological and social context of the
presenting symptoms and other risk/protective factors
✔✔Factors considered when diagnosing a mental disorder - ✔✔developmental history
family history
symptoms and course
treatment
other factors
relational and social factors
✔✔Diagnostic Mental disorder factors - Developmental history - ✔✔early trauma or
abuse
academic history
✔✔Diagnostic Mental disorder factors - Family history - ✔✔family history of mental
disorders to identify predisposition
genetic and familial vulnerability
✔✔Diagnostic Mental disorder factors - Symptoms - ✔✔clinical course of distressing
and impairing symptoms
onset and nature (chronic vs episodic)
relationship to context/stressors
, ✔✔Diagnostic Mental disorder factors - Treatment - ✔✔response or worsening to
treatments already tried
other physical or medical problems that might be contributing
✔✔Diagnostic Mental disorder factors - Relational and Social Factors - ✔✔nature of
relationships
social connectedness
environment
✔✔Diagnostic Mental disorder factors - Other Factors - ✔✔use of alcohol and/or
recreational or illicit drugs and/or current stressors
✔✔Who do students contact first in the circle of mental health? 2nd? 3rd? 4th? -
✔✔Counsellors => family med => psychologist => psychiatry
✔✔Counselling - ✔✔Short-term and problem-focused
healthy coping during periods of stress, strengthening problem-solving skills, managing
emotional responses
✔✔Primary Care Provider - ✔✔thought of as the quarterback at the center of healthcare
first line for assessment of a mental health concern
provide continuity and coordinate care
should be kept up to date with new treatments
✔✔Psychological Therapy - ✔✔AKA psychotherapy
well-suited to help support young people with emotional, social, and mental health
problems
usually moderate severity
✔✔Psychiatry - ✔✔moderate to severe mental health concerns
major depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar and psychotic disorders, substance use
disorders
✔✔What is stepped care? - ✔✔reps a progressive increase in the level or intensity of
treatment and the expertise brought to bear into the treatment
an appropriate level of treatment for the symptoms (not too much not too little)
✔✔what is counselling meant to treat? - ✔✔short-term and problem focused counselling
✔✔what is family med meant to treat? - ✔✔centre of care model coordinate between
levels
✔✔what is psychotherapy meant to treat? - ✔✔mild to moderate mental health issues
