ASWB LCSW Exam – Diagnoses Study Guide (Clinical Assessment, DSM Concepts, and
Licensing Exam Preparation Material)
avoidant personality disorder - correct answer ✔✔-sensitive to criticism/rejection
-feel inadequate/inferior
-avoidance of interpersonal contact/relationships
-shyness in social situations/relationships
-fear of disapproval, embarrassment
-want to have relationships but too anxious to engage
*low self-esteem/self-worth; distorted self image
social anxiety disorder - correct answer ✔✔-anxious ab social situations/environment itself &
how they will do in that environment
-fear they may be judged negatively
*can have a solid self-esteem
generalized anxiety disorder - correct answer ✔✔-excessive anxieties and worries occur more
days than not for at least 6 months
-anxiety/worry accompanied by at least 3:
-edginess/restlessness, impaired concentration, difficulty sleeping, fatigue, irritability, increased
muscle ache/soreness
unspecified depressive disorder - correct answer ✔✔-lighter impact than MDD, doesn't meet
full criteria
-less than 2 weeks of depressive symptoms
paranoid personality disorder - correct answer ✔✔-distrust/suspicion of others and their
motives
, -unforgiving, idea others are demeaning them, aggressive outbursts, doubting loyalty, reluctant
to confide in people, hold grudges, pervasive distrust
EX: Hitler & Stalin
schizoid personality disorder - correct answer ✔✔-detachment from social relationships and
restricted range of emotional expression, don't enjoy most activities, cold/indifferent
-loner/isolated, little or no sexual desires
EX: Squidward
schizotypal personality disorder - correct answer ✔✔-don't engage socially bc paranoid of social
contacts, cognitive distortions,
-odd/eccentric dress, thinking, and beliefs
-flat, paranormal or superstitious beliefs
-belief that certain causal incidents have hidden messages meant only for you
ex: Willy Wonka
reactive attachment disorder - correct answer ✔✔consistent pattern of emotionally withdrawn
behavior toward adult categories
rumination disorder - correct answer ✔✔disorder in which they re-chew food already
swallowed
PICA - correct answer ✔✔disorder of eating food with no nutritional value
-soil, dirt, hair, paper, etc
conversion disorder - correct answer ✔✔suffering from physical symptoms that are experienced
but have no physical basis or explanation
Licensing Exam Preparation Material)
avoidant personality disorder - correct answer ✔✔-sensitive to criticism/rejection
-feel inadequate/inferior
-avoidance of interpersonal contact/relationships
-shyness in social situations/relationships
-fear of disapproval, embarrassment
-want to have relationships but too anxious to engage
*low self-esteem/self-worth; distorted self image
social anxiety disorder - correct answer ✔✔-anxious ab social situations/environment itself &
how they will do in that environment
-fear they may be judged negatively
*can have a solid self-esteem
generalized anxiety disorder - correct answer ✔✔-excessive anxieties and worries occur more
days than not for at least 6 months
-anxiety/worry accompanied by at least 3:
-edginess/restlessness, impaired concentration, difficulty sleeping, fatigue, irritability, increased
muscle ache/soreness
unspecified depressive disorder - correct answer ✔✔-lighter impact than MDD, doesn't meet
full criteria
-less than 2 weeks of depressive symptoms
paranoid personality disorder - correct answer ✔✔-distrust/suspicion of others and their
motives
, -unforgiving, idea others are demeaning them, aggressive outbursts, doubting loyalty, reluctant
to confide in people, hold grudges, pervasive distrust
EX: Hitler & Stalin
schizoid personality disorder - correct answer ✔✔-detachment from social relationships and
restricted range of emotional expression, don't enjoy most activities, cold/indifferent
-loner/isolated, little or no sexual desires
EX: Squidward
schizotypal personality disorder - correct answer ✔✔-don't engage socially bc paranoid of social
contacts, cognitive distortions,
-odd/eccentric dress, thinking, and beliefs
-flat, paranormal or superstitious beliefs
-belief that certain causal incidents have hidden messages meant only for you
ex: Willy Wonka
reactive attachment disorder - correct answer ✔✔consistent pattern of emotionally withdrawn
behavior toward adult categories
rumination disorder - correct answer ✔✔disorder in which they re-chew food already
swallowed
PICA - correct answer ✔✔disorder of eating food with no nutritional value
-soil, dirt, hair, paper, etc
conversion disorder - correct answer ✔✔suffering from physical symptoms that are experienced
but have no physical basis or explanation
