Anxiety disorders

Question 1

Differential diagnosis for anxiety-type symptoms

Answer 1

Organic causes eg hyperthyroid
Substance induced/withdrawal
Generalised anxiety disorder
Panic disorder
Social anxiety disorder
Somatic symptom disorder
Separation anxiety disorder
Post traumatic stress disorder

Question 2

Define separation anxiety disorder

Answer 2

Excessive fear and anxiety with regards to separation from those the individual is attached
Lasts at least 4 weeks
Causes significant distress

Question 3

Define specific phobia

Answer 3

Fear of specific situation/object is out of proportion with actual danger
Specific thing is avoided
Specific thing always causes anxiety
Lasts at least 6 months
Interferes with functioning

Question 4

Define social anxiety disorder

Answer 4

Marked fear of situations where one is perceived to be under scrutiny by others
Individual fears they will be negatively evaluated
Avoidance of social situations
Lasts at least 6 months
Fear is out of proportion with actual risk

Question 5

Define panic disorder

Answer 5

Recurrent unexpected panic attacks
At least one of the attacks was followed by persistent concern about additional panic attacks
Maladaptive changes due to attacks

Question 6

Common features of panic attacks

Answer 6

An abrupt surge of fear which resolves within minutes
Palpitations, sweating, shaking, SOB, chest pain, nausea, dizzy, feeling cold/hot, numbness, derealisation, fear of losing control/dying

Question 7

Agoraphobia define

Answer 7

Fear of:
Public transportation
Open spaces
Closed spaces
Standing in line/being a crowd
Being outside of home alone

Question 8

Generalised anxiety disorder define

Answer 8

Excessive worry for more than 6 months in a variety of situations
Individual cannot control worry
Associated with feeling; restless, fatiguability, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, sleep disturbance