course »Differential Diagnosis Using the DSM 5 with Children, Youth and Families

Date: 6/28/2017, 9:00 am—4:00 pm
County: Alameda County
CEUs: 6
Location: Oakland
Sponsor: Fred Finch Youth & Family Services
Phone: 510-482-2244
Children and youth are often difficult to diagnosis and this process becomes more complex when symptoms overlap (i.e. depression, anxiety, and aggression) and there are different diagnoses given by other providers. The use of the DSM 5 with Medi-Cal clients requires practitioners to make an appropriate diagnosis in a short period of time. This course provides a step by step process for using differential diagnosis with the DSM 5 to improve the diagnoses given to children and youth. A summary of new diagnoses and changes in diagnoses in the DSM 5 is provided. Initial rule outs are discussed in diagnosis including malingering, substance use, medical conditions, and not having a mental disorder.

Decision trees will provide potential diagnoses for children and youth based on presenting symptoms including depressed mood, suicidal behavior, anxiety, delusions and hallucinations, irritable mood, aggressive behavior, and impulsivity. Differential diagnoses based on primary mental disorders seen will also be reviewed including major depressive disorder, disruptive mood dysregulation disorder, bipolar disorder, ADHD, social anxiety disorder, PTSD, and oppositional defiant disorder. Participants will discuss challenges in making an accurate diagnosis and client cases in group discussions. Participants will also practice developing a diagnosis with clients using the differential diagnosis process.

This course will also help participants review diagnostic information for licensing examinations.