PreTest Psychiatry: Anxiety, Obsessive-Compulsive, Trauma- or Stressor-Related, Somatic Symptom and Dissociative Disorders

Question 1

What demographic factors are associated with conversion disorder?

Answer 1

• Females
• Rural population
• Low SES

Question 2

What features are suggestive of dissociative identity disorder?

Answer 2

• Recurrent episodes of alterations in personality (such as tone of voice, mannerisms, habits)
• Hallucinations (auditory and visual)
• Amnesia during episodes of change

Question 3

The following medical problems can cause anxiety: ________________.

Answer 3

• Endocrinopathies (e.g., hyperparathyroidism, hyperthyroidism, pheochromocytoma)
• Metabolic states (hypoglycemia, hypercalcemia)

Note: although mitral valve prolapse and panic disorder are known to be associated, MVP does not cause anxiety.

Question 4

______________ can treat performance anxiety.

Answer 4

Beta-blockers

Question 5

What is the difference between dissociative amnesia and dissociative identity disorder?

Answer 5

DA presents with amnesia as the only symptom, while DID often has other features like hallucinations or emotional lability.

Question 6

________________ is often preferred over the SSRIs in treating GAD because it has a similar effect profile with fewer side effects.

Answer 6

Buspirone

Question 7

When a person presents with recurrent panic attacks that are impairing life functions, start these two therapies: ________________.

Answer 7

SSRI daily and benzodiazepine PRN