Which axis covers Clinical Disorders?

• A. Axis II
• B. Axis I
• C. Axis III
• D. Axis IV

Answer: (B)

In the DSM-IV-TR framework, the first axis is used to categorize Clinical disorders—the major psychiatric diagnoses that are typically the primary focus of treatment, such as mood disorders, anxiety disorders, psychotic disorders, and substance-related disorders. This axis captures the diagnoses that clinicians pursue to understand and address the core psychiatric symptoms.

The other axes cover related but different domains: Axis II groups enduring personality disorders and intellectual disabilities; Axis III lists general medical conditions relevant to the patient’s mental health; Axis IV notes psychosocial and environmental problems that affect functioning or treatment; and Axis V provides a Global Assessment of Functioning score. Because Clinical disorders are those primary psychiatric diagnoses, they belong on the first axis.