PMHNP Differential Diagnosis Flowcharts

A Visual Guide to Clinical Reasoning & Diagnostic Decision-Making

Strengthen your diagnostic skills with this comprehensive collection of psychiatric differential diagnosis flowcharts designed specifically for PMHNP students, new graduates, and mental health professionals.

Rather than memorizing diagnostic criteria, this resource teaches you how to think through common psychiatric presentations using clear, visual decision trees that mirror real-world clinical reasoning.

Inside, you'll find 25 high-yield differential diagnosis flowcharts covering mood disorders, anxiety disorders, trauma-related disorders, neurodevelopmental disorders, psychotic disorders, neurocognitive disorders, and personality disorders.

Each infographic uses a streamlined flowchart format to guide learners through key diagnostic distinctions while emphasizing board-relevant concepts and clinical pearls.

Included Topics

Mood Disorders

• Major Depressive Disorder vs Bipolar Disorder

• Bipolar I vs Bipolar II

• Bipolar Disorder vs Borderline Personality Disorder

• Persistent Depressive Disorder vs Major Depressive Disorder

• Cyclothymic Disorder vs Bipolar II Disorder

Anxiety & OCD Disorders

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder vs ADHD

• Panic Disorder vs Generalized Anxiety Disorder

• Social Anxiety Disorder vs Avoidant Personality Disorder

• OCD vs OCPD

• OCD vs Psychosis

• OCD vs PTSD

Trauma Disorders

• PTSD vs Acute Stress Disorder

• PTSD vs Adjustment Disorder

• PTSD vs Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Neurodevelopmental Disorders

• ADHD vs Anxiety Disorders

• ADHD vs Autism Spectrum Disorder

• ADHD vs Bipolar Disorder

• Autism Spectrum Disorder vs Social Anxiety Disorder

• Autism Spectrum Disorder vs Schizoid Personality Disorder

Psychotic Disorders

• Schizophrenia vs Schizoaffective Disorder

• Schizophrenia vs Bipolar Disorder with Psychotic Features

• Schizophrenia vs Substance-Induced Psychotic Disorder

Neurocognitive Disorders

• Delirium vs Dementia

• Alzheimer's Disease vs Frontotemporal Dementia

Personality Disorders

• Borderline Personality Disorder vs Bipolar Disorder (Advanced)

Bonus Resources

• Master Psychiatric Differential Diagnosis Flowchart

• Major Depressive Disorder vs Grief (Bereavement)

• Bipolar Disorder vs Substance-Induced Mood Disorder

• Somatic Symptom Disorder vs Illness Anxiety Disorder

Perfect For

✓ PMHNP Students

✓ Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Programs

✓ Clinical Rotations

✓ Board Exam Preparation

✓ New PMHNP Graduates

✓ Psychiatry Residents

✓ Mental Health Clinicians

✓ Visual Learners

What Makes This Resource Different?

These flowcharts are designed to teach diagnostic reasoning, not just diagnostic facts. By starting with a patient's presenting symptoms and guiding the learner through key decision points, the series helps build confidence in differential diagnosis and clinical decision-making.

Whether you're studying for an exam, preparing for clinical rotations, or refining your assessment skills in practice, these visual tools provide a practical framework for approaching common psychiatric presentations.

Start with the symptoms. Follow the evidence. Let the diagnosis emerge.