Anxiety Disorders

Question 1

1. Identify some of the clinical features of Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD).
2. With what condition does it often coincide?

Answer 1

1. Intense worry, restless behaviour, palor, sweatiness, flushing, fear and apprehension, avoidance, sleep difficulty etc.
2. Depression (Mixed anxiety and depression disorder.

Question 2

1. What is Panic disorder and what characterises it?

2. What physical symptoms may present?

Answer 2

1. An anxiety disorder characterised by repeated, sudden attacks of overwhelming anxiety which are often not restricted to particular situations.
2. Hyperventilation, sympathetic overactivity thus palpitations, tremor, restlessness and sweating

Question 3

1. What is agoraphobia?

2. What about social phobia?

Answer 3

1. Fear of being around people, at its most severe patient’s refuse to leave home.
2. Fear of embarrassment or humiliation in public e.g. public speaking, incontinence.

Question 4

1. What is PTSD?
2. What is the difference between Type 1 and Type 2 Trauma?
3. What are the core clinical features of PTSD?

Answer 4

1. A protracted response to a stressful event or experience.
2. Type 1- single incident, Type 2- repetitive trauma
3. Flashbacks (Any sensory modality), Insomnia often with nightmares, Emotional blunting, Avoidance of activities/situations reminiscent of trauma, emotional detachment, Hypervigilance, autonomic hyperarousal.

Question 5

1. If one suffers from Complex PTSD what other symptoms might you have?
2. What are the most suitable treatment options?

Answer 5

1. Negative self-concept, Emotional dysregulation, Chronic Interpersonal difficulties.
2. Trauma-focused CBT and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing

Question 6

1. What is OCD?
2. The compulsions displayed always match the ________.
3. Identify two conditions it is particularly comorbid with OCD.
4. What are the main ways it is treated?

Answer 6

1. A mental health disorder characterised by obsessional ruminations and compulsive rituals.
2. Obsessions
3. Depression and Tourette’s syndrome.
4. CBT , Clomipramine (a TCA) and SSRIs