Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC) Practice

What do Axis II disorders primarily include?

1. Major mental disorders

2. Personality disorders and mental retardation

3. Learning disabilities and developmental disorders

4. Acculturation processes

The correct answer is: Personality disorders and mental retardation

Axis II disorders primarily encompass personality disorders and mental retardation (now more commonly referred to as intellectual disability). This categorization is part of the multi-axial system that was used in the DSM-IV, which provided a framework for assessing a variety of mental health conditions. Personality disorders are characterized by enduring patterns of behavior, cognition, and inner experience, which deviate significantly from cultural expectations and manifest in various personal and social contexts. Intellectual disabilities, on the other hand, are characterized by limitations in intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior that originate during the developmental period. The other options include various categories of disorders or processes, but they do not align with the definition of Axis II disorders according to the DSM-IV system. Major mental disorders refer to Axis I disorders, while learning disabilities and developmental disorders also encompass categories outside of Axis II. Acculturation processes pertain more to sociocultural adjustments rather than being classified as a psychological disorder.