Best Books for the Psychiatry Shelf

Best Books for the Psychiatry Shelf (and a deeper dive for Step 2 CK)

First Aid for the Psychiatry Clerkship

For the Shelf: This was one of the most helpful books I used all of third year. The background information sets a solid foundation. I read it once cover-to-cover and then again, focusing on making my own notes from the DSM criteria. I would then study my own notes, focusing on the differences between certain disorders (time frames in schizophrenia vs brief psychotic disorder or mood disorder with psychotic features vs schizoaffective disorder).

For Step 2 CK: I had gone through this text twice during my Psychiatry Clerkship, which was over a year prior to my Step 2 CK date. During my last week of preparation, I found it useful to skim the DSM criteria (which is highlighted in boxes) of FA for Psychiatry one more time and I think it paid off with behavioral questions being one of my highest.

DSM – Desk Reference

The desk reference (AKA pocket guide) of the DSM is essential for both the shelf as well as psychiatry rotations. The exact number of DSM criteria can (and most definitely will) show up on the shelf and on step exams – including the number of symptoms and exclusion criteria.

Other resources for the Psychiatry Shelf

The usual suspects, UWorld and OME. I also found it worthwhile to go through NBMEs subject tests for psychiatry as there were some topics not covered in UW but were in the NBMEs and on my shelf.

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Deeper dives:

For additional questions:

Lange Q&A Psychiatry
If you want to make sure you see everything that will be on the shelf, First Aid + UW + OME + Lange will cover your bases. Not essential, but helpful if you have the extra time or you really want a +90 on the shelf.

Toxicology Resource:

Toxicology in a Box

Toxic ingestions is one big area thatis not emphasized in First Aid for psychiatry but definitely shows up on the shelf. If you are a visual learner (aka loved Sketchy series), I would recommend Toxicology in a Box It has several pictures for toxidromes as well as pictures for common withdrawal and overdose. Would be a great addition for anyone going into EM as well and wants help knowing these like the back of their hand.

MGH Handbook of Psychiatry

This is probably the go-to pocket reference for the psychiatrist-to-be if you need a quick to grab resource. Awesome reference book for the wards, so I would strongly recommend it for any psychiatry sub-I.

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⇉ Other helpful resources

• Step 2 CK Study Guide
• Step 2 CS Study Guide
• Shelf Resources (by subject)
• Anki Settings Help for Shelf or Step Prep
• How to make Anki Cards Efficiently

The study resources featured on this blog such as the study schedules and Anki tips are free to use, as I know what it is like to be a student living on a fixed budget. To support this blog, please consider using the links above to make any Amazon purchases you may need during your prep, as commission is made through any purchases made through the affiliate links on this blog. Step 2 CK Study guide is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. 

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Note: Everything on this blog is for informational purposes only and reflects solely my individual views and opinions.