USMLE® Step 2 CK · chapter PSY

Psychiatry: USMLE® Step 2 CK topics

25 topics. Each one opens a review page with its guideline basis and key clinical sections, then links the QuestionBank questions, ChartWalk flowchart, FlashCards and ImageBank plates that share its code.

1. Acute agitation, delirium screen & catatonia

   PSY-EMERG-0110 questions · Review Book p. 629 · DSM-5-TR

2. ADHD — diagnosis & stimulant/non-stimulant treatment

   PSY-PEDS-0146 questions · Review Book p. 644 · AAP 2019 ADHD Guideline (2020 erratum); NICE NG87.

3. Alcohol use disorder & withdrawal management

   PSY-SUD-0127 questions · Review Book p. 632 · ASAM Alcohol Withdrawal Guideline (2020); UK Alcohol-Treatment Guidance (2025)

4. Antidepressant selection, SSRI/SNRI pharmacology & discontinuation

   PSY-MOOD-0234 questions · Review Book p. 619 · NICE NG222 (2022/current), CG113 + CG185 (updated 2025); VA/DoD MDD (2022) + PTSD (2023 official clinical summary).

5. Antipsychotics — side effects, EPS & clozapine monitoring

   PSY-PSYC-0232 questions · Review Book p. 627 · APA schizophrenia guideline (2020, EPS/TD + monitoring); BAP NMS recommendations (2023).

6. Anxiety disorders — generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic, phobias & OCD

   PSY-ANX-0145 questions · Review Book p. 623 · 2009 APA Practice Guideline for Panic Disorder; APA OCD Guideline 2007 (2013 watch); NICE CG113/CG159/CG31; USPSTF Anxiety Screening 2023

7. Bipolar disorder — diagnosis & prescribing pitfalls

   PSY-MOOD-0340 questions · Review Book p. 621 · CANMAT/ISBD bipolar guidelines (2018) + summary/evidence update (2023); NICE CG185 (updated Sep 2025).

8. Child & adolescent psychiatric disorders

   PSY-PEDS-02101 questions · Review Book p. 645 · AAP 2020 ASD Report (reaffirmed 2025); AAP 2025 GDD/ID Genetic Evaluation.

9. Depression, grief & adjustment disorder differential

   PSY-MOOD-0149 questions · Review Book p. 618 · NICE NG222 (2022/current); VA/DoD MDD (2022) + Suicide Risk (2024).

10. Eating disorders & refeeding syndrome

    PSY-EAT-0137 questions · Review Book p. 639 · 2023 APA Eating Disorder Practice Guideline

11. Forensic psychiatry — capacity, commitment & duty to warn

    PSY-FOREN-0116 questions · Review Book p. 647 · 2018 AAPL Practice Resource — Competence to Stand Trial

12. Lithium & mood stabilizer monitoring

    PSY-MOOD-0452 questions · Review Book p. 622 · CANMAT/ISBD bipolar guidelines (2018) + summary/evidence update (2023); NICE CG185 (updated Sep 2025) + CG192.

13. NMS vs serotonin syndrome — dangerous drug interactions

    PSY-EMERG-024 questions · Review Book p. 630

14. Opioid prescribing & multimodal pain management

    PSY-SUD-0316 questions · Review Book p. 634 · CDC 2022 Opioid Prescribing Guideline (adult outpatient scope); FDA 2025 opioid safety changes.

15. Opioid use disorder & medication-assisted treatment

    PSY-SUD-0233 questions · Review Book p. 633 · SAMHSA TIP 63 (2021) + current MAT/MATE/OTP guidance (2024–2026); ASAM HPSO considerations (2023).

16. Other substance withdrawal & use disorders

    PSY-SUD-0434 questions · Review Book p. 635 · ASAM/AAAP stimulant guideline (2024); ASAM alcohol withdrawal (2020).

17. Other/rare psychiatric disorders

    PSY-OTH-0115 questions · Review Book p. 648 · WPATH SOC-8 2022; DSM-5-TR 2022

18. Personality disorders — clusters A, B & C

    PSY-PD-0118 questions · Review Book p. 638 · 2024 APA Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Patients With Borderline Personality Disorder; DSM-5-TR

19. Postpartum mood disorders — blues to psychosis

    PSY-PP-0110 questions · Review Book p. 643 · ACOG 2023 CPG Nos. 4 + 5; ACOG Zuranolone CPU (online 2025/final 2026).

20. Psychotherapy modalities & defense mechanisms

    PSY-FOUND-0119 questions · Review Book p. 617 · APA (psychiatric) borderline personality disorder (BPD) 2024; DSM-5-TR 2022

21. Psychotic disorder differential & schizophrenia diagnosis

    PSY-PSYC-0118 questions · Review Book p. 626 · APA schizophrenia guideline (2020, named sections); VA/DoD first-episode psychosis/schizophrenia (2023).

22. PTSD & trauma-related disorders

    PSY-ANX-0216 questions · Review Book p. 625 · 2023 VA/DoD PTSD Clinical Practice Guideline

23. Sleep disorders — insomnia, narcolepsy & parasomnias

    PSY-SLEEP-0189 questions · Review Book p. 641 · Consulted: AASM insomnia (2017/2026), hypersomnolence (2021), RLS (2025), RBD (2023), adult OSA (2017/2019) + oral appliances (2015); ICSD-3-TR (2023).

24. Somatic symptom, factitious disorder & malingering

    PSY-SOMA-0136 questions · Review Book p. 642 · DSM-5-TR (2022; terminology fact sheet).

25. Suicide & violence risk assessment

    PSY-SUIC-0131 questions · Review Book p. 637 · VA/DoD Assessment and Management of Patients at Risk for Suicide 2024; NIMH suicide FAQ + adult BSSA toolkit.

Written and clinically reviewed by TheCodexes.com (editorial policy). Guideline citations are the primary sources each topic follows.