Practise clinical reasoning with original, fictional cases. Information is revealed in stages, and you are asked to commit to your own reasoning before the teaching discussion appears.
A 19-year-old student living away from home for the first time presents with low mood, poor sleep and falling attendance. Depression, adjustment, physical and contextual explanations all need consideration — and a safety question must be handled well.
Themes: low mood, transition to college, screening versus diagnosis, risk enquiry, family and culture
A teacher refers a nine-year-old for inattention and incomplete work. ADHD is one hypothesis among several — including hearing, learning, anxiety, sleep and family stress.
Themes: inattention, multi-informant assessment, functional analysis, learning difficulties, family context
A 68-year-old retired teacher's family worry about memory problems after his wife's death. Dementia, depression, grief, hearing and medication effects must all be weighed.
Themes: older adults, depression versus dementia, neuropsychological screening, grief, capacity and family
A 34-year-old nurse has repeated emergency visits for chest pain with normal cardiac tests. Panic, health anxiety, stimulants, sleep and life stress interact — and collaboration with physicians is essential.
Themes: panic, health anxiety, biopsychosocial formulation, CBT, medical collaboration
A 27-year-old software contractor spends hours washing to neutralise intrusive contamination thoughts. Assessment distinguishes OCD from other conditions, and treatment involves exposure, family accommodation and respect for religious practice.
Themes: obsessions and compulsions, exposure and response prevention, family accommodation, religious practice, insight
A 45-year-old manager referred for hypertension and stress has been drinking more. Screening, motivational approaches and health-behaviour change are central.
Themes: health psychology, alcohol screening, motivation and ambivalence, stress, collaborative care