DSM-V diagnoses

Question 1

Detail the DSM-V criteria for Generalised Anxiety Disorder?

Answer 1

A - excessive anxiety and worry occurring more days than not for at least 6 months. Worries are about a number of events/activities (at least 2)

B` - Worries are hard to control

C - At least 3 of the following 6 associated symptoms:

• Restlessness or feeling keyed up
• Irritability
• Sleep disturbance
• Muscle tension
• Difficulty concentrating
• Easily fatigued

D - Psychosocial impairment

E - Not attributable to effects of a substance or a medical condition

F - Not due to another psychiatric disorder

Question 2

What are the DSM-V criteria for panic disorder?

Answer 2

A - Recurrent and unexpected panic attacks (i.e when panic attack occurs it can’t be predicted)

B - For the next month one or both of

• -> Persistent concern or worry about further attacks or the consequences (going crazy / going to have a heart attack)
• -> Maladaptive change in behaviour related to the attacks such as avoidance of exercise or unfamiliar situations

C - Not due to a substance or another medical condition

D - Not due to another psychiatric condition

Question 3

Outline the criteria for Agoraphobia?

Answer 3

A - fear or anxiety about two or more of the following 5 situations:

1. Public transport
2. Open spaces
3. Enclosed places
4. Standing in line or being in a crowd
5. Being outside of the home alone

B - fear or avoidance occurs because if the person develops panic symptoms or something embarrassing happens they can’t escape

C - Agoraphobic situations always produce fear or anxiety

D - Individual avoids the situations or needs someone with them

E - The perception is out of proportion to the actual danger

F - Lasts 6 months or more

G - Psychosocial impairment

H - If another medical condition is present (IBD or Parkinson’s) the perceived fear and anxiety is excessive to what would be deemed culturally appropriate

I - Not better explained by another condition

NOTE - Panic Disorder and Agoraphobia can be diagnosed in conjunction

Question 4

What diagnosis meets these criteria

A - Fear or anxiety which is triggered by one or more social situations when the individual may be negatively evaluated. For children this has to be during interaction with peers

B - Fear or anxiety arises due to the person being worried about expressing anxiety symptoms which they think would be embarrassing/negatively evaluated/offend others/lead to rejection

C - Social situation nearly always produces the fear and anxiety

D - The individual avoids the situation or endures it with fear

E - Fear or anxiety is out of proportion to the actual threat posed by the situation

F - Lasts for at least 6 months and is persistent

G - Causes psychosocial distress/impairment to functioning

H - Not due to a substance or another medical condition

I - Not better explained by another psychiatric illness

J - If another medical condition is present the fear and anxiety is out of proportion/excessive

• Can specify if only restricted to speaking or performing in public

Answer 4

Social anxiety disorder/phobia

Question 5

How long do specifics phobias need to last?

Answer 5

At least 6 months or more