Anxiety Disorders

Question 1

Can you list all the disorders in the anxiety disorders chapter of the DSM 5?

Answer 1

Separation anxiety disorder
selective mutism
specific phobia
social anxiety disorder
panic disorder
panic attack specifier
agoraphobia
generalized anxiety disorder
substance/medication induced anxiety disorder
anxiety disorder due to another medical condition
other specified anxiety disorder
unspecified anxiety disorder

Question 2

What is the identifying feature of separation anxiety disorder?

Answer 2

Developmentally inappropriate and excessive fear or anxiety concerning separation from the attached individual.

Question 3

How many criteria must an individual have in order to be diagnosed with separation anxiety disorder?

Answer 3

At least three out of eight criteria

Question 4

How long must symptoms be present in children and adults in order to diagnose separation anxiety disorder?

Answer 4

At least 4 weeks in children and at least six months in adults

Question 5

What is the identifying feature of selective mutism?

Answer 5

Consistent failure to speak in specific social situations in which there is an expectation for speaking despite speaking in other situations

Question 6

How long must symptoms be present in order to diagnose selective mutism?

Answer 6

At least one month

Question 7

What is the identifying feature of a specific phobia?

Answer 7

Marked fear or anxiety about a specific object or situation.

Question 8

How long must symptoms be present in order to diagnose a specific phobia?

Answer 8

At least six months.

Question 9

List the categories of specifiers for specific phobias.

Answer 9

Animal, natural environment, blood injection injury, situational, other

Question 10

What is the phobic stimulus?

Answer 10

The phobic stimulus is a particular situation or object in which fear is attached to.

Question 11

What is active avoidance?

Answer 11

Active avoidance means the individual intentionally behaves in ways that are designed to prevent or minimize contact.

Question 12

What is the identifying feature of social anxiety disorder?

Answer 12

A. Marked fear or anxiety about one or more social situations in which the individual is exposed to possible scrutiny by others.
B. The individual fears that they will act in a way or show anxiety symptoms that will be negatively evaluated or will lead to rejection by others.

Question 13

How long must symptoms be present to diagnose social anxiety disorder?

Answer 13

At least six months.

Question 14

What specifiers exist for social anxiety disorder?

Answer 14

Specify if “performance only” If the fear is restricted to speaking or performing in public.

Question 15

What is the identifying feature of panic disorder?

Answer 15

Reoccurring unexpected panic attacks, and abrupt surge of intense fear or intense discomfort that reaches a peak within minutes.

Question 16

How many symptoms must occur to diagnose a panic attack? List the symptoms.

Answer 16

At least four out of 13 symptoms.

1 palpitation, pounding heart, or accelerated heart rate.
2 sweating
3 trembling or shaking
4 sensations of shortness of breath or smothering
5 feeling of choking.
6 chest pain or discomfort
7 nausea or abdominal stress
8 feeling dizzy unsteady lightheaded or faint.
9 chills or heat sensation
10 numbness or tingling sensations
11 derealization or depersonalization
12 fears of losing control or going crazy
13 fears of dying

Question 17

What is the difference between a panic attack and panic disorder?

Answer 17

Panic disorder requires that at least one attack be followed by one month or more of either persistent concern or worry about an additional attack in their consequences or a significant maladaptive change in behavior related to the attack.

Question 18

What is an unexpected and expected panic attack?

Answer 18

An unexpected panic attack has no obvious trigger or cue.

Question 19

What is a nocturnal panic attack?

Answer 19

A nocturnal panic attack is when one wakes from sleep already in a state of panic.

Question 20

What is a limited symptom panic attack?

Answer 20

A limited symptom panic attack is only diagnosed when fewer than 4 physical and cognitive symptoms are present.

Question 21

How long does a panic attack take to reach its peak?

Answer 21

Within minutes.

Question 22

What is the identifying feature of agoraphobia?

Answer 22

Marked fear or anxiety about two or more of the following five situations:

One using public transportation.
Two being an open space.
Being in enclosed spaces
Standing in line or being in a crowd.
Being outside of the home alone.

Question 23

How long must symptoms be present in order to diagnose agoraphobia?

Answer 23

At least six months.

Question 24

What are some identifying features of generalized anxiety disorder?

Answer 24

Excessive anxiety and worry occurring more days than not about a number of events or activities.

The individual finds it difficult to control the worry.

Question 25

How many symptoms are needed to diagnose generalized anxiety disorder? List the symptoms.

Answer 25

At least three of the following six symptoms:

Restlessness, feeling keyed up, on edge.
Being easily fatigued
Difficulty concentrating or mind going blank.
Irritability
Muscle tension
Sleep disturbance

Question 26

How long must symptoms be present in order to diagnose generalized anxiety disorder?

Answer 26

At least six months.

Question 27

When would you diagnose substance slash medication induced anxiety disorder?

Answer 27

When panic attacks or anxiety are the predominant clinical symptom. There is evidence that it developed during or after substance intoxication, withdrawal, medication. The involved substance or medication is capable of producing the symptoms of anxiety. The disturbance does not occur exclusively during delirium. It’s not better explained by other disorders.

Question 28

What is the difference between other specified anxiety disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder?

Answer 28

Other specified anxiety disorder is used when an individual meets some but not all criterion for an anxiety disorder. The clinician is able to specify which criterion the client does not meet for diagnosis.

Unspecified anxiety disorder is used when there is insufficient information to make a more specific diagnosis, and the clinician does not specify which criterion the client does not meet for diagnosis. Typically used in emergency settings.