KAPLAN AND SADOCK’S SYNOPSIS OF
PSYCHIATRY 12TH EDITION EXAM Q&A 2026
STUDY GUIDE WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS
◉ 2 important psychiatric classifications are: Answer: 1. Diagnostic and
Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) - APA
2. International Classification of Diseases (ICD) - WHO
◉ How many DSM editions have there been? Answer: Original plus 6
DSM-I, DSM-II, DSM-III, DSM-III-R, DSM-IV, DSM-IV-TR (text
revision), DSM-5
◉ Latest versions of DSM & ICD Answer: DSM-5, ICD-10
All in DSM-5 are in ICD-10, but not all ICD-10 are in DSM-5
◉ Official US nomenclature Answer: DSM-5
◉ Medicare & Medicaid requires Answer: ICD-10 codes for mental
disorders
,◉ What is meant by descriptive approach? Answer: DSM-5 is
atheoretical re: causes
Describes clinical features, only rarely discusses how it came about
◉ What is meant by diagnostic criteria? Purpose? Answer: Specified
diagnostic criteria are provided for each mental disorder, with features
that must be present for diagnosis to be made.
-increase reliability of diagnostic process
◉ What is meant by systematic description? Answer: Systematically
describes each disorder:
age, culture, gender-related features
prevalence, incidence, risk
course
complications
predisposing factors
familial pattern
DDx
when relevant labs & physical signs/symptoms
◉ What is not included in DSM? Answer: theories of causes,
management or Tx
controversial issues
,◉ Neurodevelopmental Disorders (6) Answer: usually 1st diagnosed in
infancy, childhood, or adolescence
Include:
-Intellectual Disability/Intellectual Developmental Disorder (prev mental
retardation)
-Communication Disorders
-Autism Spectrum Disorder
-ADHD
-Specific Learning Disorders
-Motor Disorders
◉ Intellectual Disability/Intellectual Developmental Disorder Answer:
Neurodevelopmental Disorder
-Significant, below average intelligence and impairment in adaptive
functioning (how effective ppl are in achieving age-appropriate common
demands; communication, self-care, interpersonal skills)
-Classifications from DSM-IV: mild (50-55 to 70 IQ), moderate (35-40
to 50-55), severe (20-25 to 35-40), profound (below 20-25)
◉ Global developmental delay Answer: variation of Intellectual
disability
children >5yrs
severe defects exceeding Intellectual Disability Classification
, ◉ Borderline intellectual functioning Answer: not clearly differentiated
from intellectual disability in DSM-5
DSM-IV it meant IQ of about 70
◉ Communication Disorders Answer: Neurodevelopmental Disorder
4 types:
1. Language Disorder (impaired vocab, difficulty in age-appropriate
sentences)
2. Speech sound disorder (difficulty in articulation)
3. childhood-onset fluency disorder/stuttering (difficulty in fluency, rate,
rhythm)
4. social/pragmatic communication disorder (difficulty in social
interaction/communication w/ peers)
◉ Autism Spectrum Disorder Answer: Neurodevelopmental Disorder
-range of behaviors; multiple developmental areas (social relatedness,
communication, range of activity & repetitive & stereotypical patterns of
behavior incl speech)
Level 1: able to speak w/ reduced social interaction (resembles
Asperger's, not in DSM-5)
Level 2: minimal speech, minimal social interaction (Dx as Rett's
disorder in DSM-IV, not in 5)
PSYCHIATRY 12TH EDITION EXAM Q&A 2026
STUDY GUIDE WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS
◉ 2 important psychiatric classifications are: Answer: 1. Diagnostic and
Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) - APA
2. International Classification of Diseases (ICD) - WHO
◉ How many DSM editions have there been? Answer: Original plus 6
DSM-I, DSM-II, DSM-III, DSM-III-R, DSM-IV, DSM-IV-TR (text
revision), DSM-5
◉ Latest versions of DSM & ICD Answer: DSM-5, ICD-10
All in DSM-5 are in ICD-10, but not all ICD-10 are in DSM-5
◉ Official US nomenclature Answer: DSM-5
◉ Medicare & Medicaid requires Answer: ICD-10 codes for mental
disorders
,◉ What is meant by descriptive approach? Answer: DSM-5 is
atheoretical re: causes
Describes clinical features, only rarely discusses how it came about
◉ What is meant by diagnostic criteria? Purpose? Answer: Specified
diagnostic criteria are provided for each mental disorder, with features
that must be present for diagnosis to be made.
-increase reliability of diagnostic process
◉ What is meant by systematic description? Answer: Systematically
describes each disorder:
age, culture, gender-related features
prevalence, incidence, risk
course
complications
predisposing factors
familial pattern
DDx
when relevant labs & physical signs/symptoms
◉ What is not included in DSM? Answer: theories of causes,
management or Tx
controversial issues
,◉ Neurodevelopmental Disorders (6) Answer: usually 1st diagnosed in
infancy, childhood, or adolescence
Include:
-Intellectual Disability/Intellectual Developmental Disorder (prev mental
retardation)
-Communication Disorders
-Autism Spectrum Disorder
-ADHD
-Specific Learning Disorders
-Motor Disorders
◉ Intellectual Disability/Intellectual Developmental Disorder Answer:
Neurodevelopmental Disorder
-Significant, below average intelligence and impairment in adaptive
functioning (how effective ppl are in achieving age-appropriate common
demands; communication, self-care, interpersonal skills)
-Classifications from DSM-IV: mild (50-55 to 70 IQ), moderate (35-40
to 50-55), severe (20-25 to 35-40), profound (below 20-25)
◉ Global developmental delay Answer: variation of Intellectual
disability
children >5yrs
severe defects exceeding Intellectual Disability Classification
, ◉ Borderline intellectual functioning Answer: not clearly differentiated
from intellectual disability in DSM-5
DSM-IV it meant IQ of about 70
◉ Communication Disorders Answer: Neurodevelopmental Disorder
4 types:
1. Language Disorder (impaired vocab, difficulty in age-appropriate
sentences)
2. Speech sound disorder (difficulty in articulation)
3. childhood-onset fluency disorder/stuttering (difficulty in fluency, rate,
rhythm)
4. social/pragmatic communication disorder (difficulty in social
interaction/communication w/ peers)
◉ Autism Spectrum Disorder Answer: Neurodevelopmental Disorder
-range of behaviors; multiple developmental areas (social relatedness,
communication, range of activity & repetitive & stereotypical patterns of
behavior incl speech)
Level 1: able to speak w/ reduced social interaction (resembles
Asperger's, not in DSM-5)
Level 2: minimal speech, minimal social interaction (Dx as Rett's
disorder in DSM-IV, not in 5)
