Mental Health for the AANP FNP exam
Depression and anxiety screening are USPSTF Grade B for nearly all adults. Mental health is heavily tested in adolescent and young adult populations. This chapter has 20 topics, a video lecture, an audio lesson, clinical scenarios, exam pearls and a quiz.
What you will learn
- Apply PHQ-9, GAD-7, CAGE, and Columbia screening tools
- Initiate first-line pharmacotherapy for MDD, GAD, panic, PTSD
- Differentiate bipolar from unipolar depression
- Recognize and refer suicidal ideation appropriately
Topics in this chapter
- Major depressive disorderMDD diagnosis (SIGECAPS), PHQ-9 use, SSRI/SNRI first-line, treatment-resistant, special populations, perinatal.
- Anxiety disordersGAD, panic, social, phobias, SSRI/SNRI first-line, benzodiazepine cautions, CBT, screening (GAD-7).
- Bipolar disorderBipolar I vs II, manic vs hypomanic, mood stabilizers, avoid antidepressant monotherapy, lithium monitoring.
- PTSD and trauma-related disordersPTSD criteria, screening tools, first-line trauma-focused CBT and EMDR, SSRI options, prazosin for nightmares.
- OCD and related disordersOCD diagnosis, SSRI high-dose, ERP therapy, hoarding, body dysmorphic disorder, trichotillomania.
- Eating disordersAnorexia, bulimia, binge eating, ARFID, complications (cardiac, refeeding), CBT, fluoxetine for bulimia.
- ADHDADHD diagnosis (childhood + adult), stimulants vs non-stimulants, screening tools, controlled substance considerations.
- Schizophrenia and psychosisSchizophrenia diagnosis, positive vs negative symptoms, antipsychotics, EPS, NMS, metabolic monitoring, treatment-resistant.
- Substance use disordersAUDIT-C, MAT for OUD, naltrexone for AUD, withdrawal management, stigma-reducing language.
- Sleep disordersInsomnia (chronic, CBT-I), restless legs, narcolepsy, parasomnias. OSA covered in Respiratory.
- Suicide and violence riskSuicide risk assessment, lethal means restriction, safety planning, homicidal ideation, duty to warn.
- Pediatric mental healthADHD (recap), autism, anxiety in kids, school refusal, conduct disorder, oppositional defiant, child abuse.
- Personality disordersCluster A/B/C overview, borderline (DBT), antisocial, narcissistic, dependent, OCPD vs OCD distinction.
- Serotonin Syndrome (Serotonin Toxicity) vs NMSSerotonin toxicity (clonus, hyperreflexia, hyperthermia) as a drug-induced emergency, and how to distinguish it from neuroleptic malignant syndrome.
- Tricyclic Antidepressant (TCA) Toxicity and OverdoseTricyclic antidepressant overdose: the lethal anticholinergic, cardiac, and CNS effects, the QRS-widening warning sign, and sodium bicarbonate as the antidote.
- MAOIs: Tyramine Crisis, Interactions, and WashoutMAOIs and the dietary tyramine hypertensive crisis, dangerous drug interactions, and the washout period needed to avoid serotonin syndrome.
- Motivational Interviewing and Stages of ChangeMotivational interviewing: the underlying spirit, the OARS communication skills, and the stages-of-change model used to move ambivalent patients toward action.
- Factitious Disorder vs Malingering vs Somatic Symptom DisorderDistinguishing factitious disorder (Munchausen), malingering, and somatic symptom disorder by the presence of conscious deception and the type of incentive.
- The Abuse Spectrum: IPV and Elder Abuse Screening and ReportingIntimate partner violence and elder abuse: screening, red flags, the safety-first response, and the rules of mandatory reporting beyond child abuse.
- Smoking Cessation PharmacotherapyFirst-line smoking-cessation medications: varenicline, bupropion SR, and nicotine replacement therapy, with their mechanisms, key warnings, and combination strategy.
The full chapter is part of the membership. Open this chapter
Last updated November 4, 2026. Verify exam details against the official AANPCB Candidate Handbook before exam day.