Anxiety Disorders — MCQs
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Which of the following is not classified as an anxiety disorder?
Specific phobias are best classified under which of the following categories?
Fear of being in places or situations from which escape might be difficult, embarrassing, or where help may be unavailable in the event of a panic attack. This condition is called.
A 40-year-old male presents with sudden onset breathlessness, anxiety, palpitations, hot flushes, dizziness, and chest pain. He is afraid of dying. Physical examination is normal, and ECG and X-ray findings are also normal. What is the diagnosis?
Which of the following features is not associated with panic disorder?
Which of the following is not a typical feature of anxiety neurosis?
A 28-year-old woman who reports being a "nervous person" and experiences chronic tension, exhibits symptoms of both sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system activation, and has insomnia is most likely to be suffering from which condition?
Anxiety Disorders Indian Medical PG Practice Questions and MCQs
Question 161: Which of the following is not classified as an anxiety disorder?
- A. Generalized anxiety disorder
- B. Panic disorder
- C. Schizophrenia (Correct Answer)
- D. None of the options
Explanation: ***Schizophrenia*** - This is the correct answer because **Schizophrenia** is classified as a **psychotic disorder**, not an anxiety disorder. - It is characterized by disturbances in thought processes, perceptions, emotions, and behavior, including **hallucinations**, delusions, disorganized speech, and negative symptoms like blunted affect or avolition. - According to **DSM-5** and **ICD-11**, schizophrenia falls under the category of psychotic disorders, distinctly separate from anxiety disorders. *Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)* - This is incorrect because GAD **is** a recognized anxiety disorder. - Characterized by persistent and excessive worry about various life events or activities for at least **6 months**. - Common symptoms include **restlessness**, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, and sleep disturbance. *Panic disorder* - This is incorrect because panic disorder **is** a recognized anxiety disorder. - Defined by recurrent, unexpected **panic attacks** - sudden episodes of intense fear with physical symptoms. - Symptoms include **palpitations**, sweating, trembling, chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, and fear of losing control or dying. *None of the options* - This is incorrect because Schizophrenia is indeed not classified as an anxiety disorder, making it the correct answer to this negation question.
Question 162: Specific phobias are best classified under which of the following categories?
- A. Mood disorders
- B. Psychotic disorders
- C. Personality disorders
- D. Anxiety disorders (Correct Answer)
Explanation: **Anxiety disorders** - **Specific phobias** are characterized by marked and persistent fear of a specific object or situation, which falls under the umbrella of **anxiety disorders**. - The core feature is intense anxiety or panic when exposed to the phobic stimulus, leading to avoidance behavior. *Psychotic disorders* - These involve a significant loss of contact with reality, often featuring **hallucinations, delusions**, or disorganized thought and speech. - Specific phobias do not involve such a profound disruption of reality or psychotic symptoms. *Mood disorders* - These are primarily characterized by a disturbance in the person's sustained emotional state, such as **depression (low mood)** or **mania (elevated mood)**. - While anxiety can co-occur with mood disorders, specific phobias are distinct conditions defined by their fear response to specific triggers. *Personality disorders* - These are characterized by **enduring patterns of inner experience and behavior** that deviate significantly from cultural expectations, are pervasive and inflexible, and cause distress or impairment. - Specific phobias are not considered deeply ingrained, pervasive patterns of relating to the world, but rather a focused fear response.
Question 163: Fear of being in places or situations from which escape might be difficult, embarrassing, or where help may be unavailable in the event of a panic attack. This condition is called.
- A. Fear of animals
- B. Fear of heights
- C. Fear of social situations
- D. Agoraphobia (Correct Answer)
Explanation: ***Agoraphobia*** - This condition is characterized by a significant and irrational **fear** of being in situations or places from which escape might be difficult, or help unavailable, often stemming from concerns about experiencing a **panic attack**. - Common agoraphobic situations include being in **crowded places**, open spaces, public transportation, or being outside of one's home alone. *Fear of animals* - This is a specific phobia, known as **zoophobia**, characterized by an intense and irrational fear of certain animals or animal types. - Unlike agoraphobia, the fear is specifically tied to the presence or anticipation of encountering an animal, not the general context of escape or help. *Fear of heights* - This is another specific phobia, called **acrophobia**, defined by an extreme and irrational fear of high places. - The fear is primarily triggered by elevated positions and the perceived danger of falling, not by concerns about being trapped or unable to get help during a panic attack. *Fear of social situations* - This describes **social anxiety disorder** (also known as social phobia), which involves intense fear and anxiety in social settings where one might be scrutinized or judged by others. - While it can be debilitating, the core fear is of social interaction and performance, not the broader concerns of entrapment or helplessness in a general environment as seen in agoraphobia.
Question 164: A 40-year-old male presents with sudden onset breathlessness, anxiety, palpitations, hot flushes, dizziness, and chest pain. He is afraid of dying. Physical examination is normal, and ECG and X-ray findings are also normal. What is the diagnosis?
- A. Panic attack (Correct Answer)
- B. Acute psychosis
- C. Generalized anxiety disorder
- D. Factitious disorder
Explanation: ***Panic attack*** - The sudden onset of intense fear or discomfort, accompanied by a cluster of physical symptoms such as **breathlessness**, **palpitations**, **chest pain**, and a **fear of dying**, is characteristic of a panic attack. - The **normal physical examination**, **ECG**, and **X-ray findings** rule out organic causes, supporting a psychiatric diagnosis. *Generalized anxiety disorder* - Characterized by **persistent and excessive worry** about various daily life events, rather than discrete, intense episodes of fear. - While it can manifest with physical symptoms like fatigue or muscle tension, it typically lacks the **sudden, overwhelming nature** and **fear of dying** seen in panic attacks. *Factitious disorder* - Involves **intentional falsification or induction of physical or psychological symptoms** without obvious external rewards. - This patient's symptoms are presented as genuine and distressing, not as a deliberate fabrication for secondary gain. *Acute psychosis* - Characterized by a **marked impairment in reality testing**, often involving **hallucinations**, **delusions**, or disorganized thought and speech. - The patient's symptoms are primarily anxiety-related and physical, with no mention of such psychotic features.
Question 165: Which of the following features is not associated with panic disorder?
- A. Agoraphobia
- B. Anticipatory anxiety
- C. Panic attacks
- D. Flashbacks (Correct Answer)
Explanation: ***Flashbacks*** - Flashbacks are a hallmark symptom of **Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)**, not panic disorder. - They involve vivid, intrusive re-experiencing of a traumatic event, which is distinct from the sudden, intense fear of a panic attack. *Agoraphobia* - Agoraphobia is frequently associated with **panic disorder**, often developing as a consequence of recurrent panic attacks. - Individuals with agoraphobia fear situations where escape might be difficult or help unavailable during a panic attack, leading to avoidance behavior. *Anticipatory anxiety* - **Anticipatory anxiety** is a common feature of panic disorder, referring to the worry or apprehension about having a future panic attack. - This anxiety can be pervasive and contribute to avoidance behaviors, further exacerbating the disorder. *Panic attacks* - **Recurrent, unexpected panic attacks** are the defining feature of panic disorder. - These attacks involve a sudden surge of intense fear or discomfort accompanied by various physical and cognitive symptoms.
Question 166: Which of the following is not a typical feature of anxiety neurosis?
- A. Abnormal gait (Correct Answer)
- B. Sweating
- C. Dryness of mouth
- D. Palpitation
Explanation: ***Abnormal gait*** - **Abnormal gait** is NOT a typical feature of anxiety neurosis - While severe anxiety may cause **muscle tension** or motor agitation, gait disturbances are not a hallmark symptom - Gait abnormalities suggest **neurological disorders** rather than primary anxiety *Sweating* - **Sweating** (diaphoresis) is a classic physiological symptom of anxiety - Mediated by **autonomic nervous system activation** during anxiety episodes *Dryness of mouth* - **Dry mouth** (xerostomia) is a frequent manifestation of anxiety - Caused by **sympathetic nervous system activation** which reduces salivary flow *Palpitation* - **Palpitations** are a cardinal cardiovascular symptom of anxiety - Described as **pounding, racing, or irregular heartbeat** sensations - Result from increased sympathetic activity and catecholamine release
Question 167: A 28-year-old woman who reports being a "nervous person" and experiences chronic tension, exhibits symptoms of both sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system activation, and has insomnia is most likely to be suffering from which condition?
- A. Post-traumatic stress disorder
- B. Generalized anxiety disorder (Correct Answer)
- C. Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- D. Agoraphobia
Explanation: ***Generalized anxiety disorder*** - This condition is characterized by **persistent and excessive worry** about various aspects of life, often accompanied by physical symptoms of autonomic arousal, such as muscle tension, nervousness, and sleep disturbances (insomnia). - The patient's description of being a "nervous person" and experiencing **chronic tension** and insomnia, along with symptoms of both sympathetic and parasympathetic activation, is highly consistent with GAD. *Post-traumatic stress disorder* - This disorder typically develops after exposure to a **traumatic event** and involves symptoms such as re-experiencing the trauma, avoidance, negative alterations in cognition and mood, and hyperarousal. - While it can involve hyperarousal and sleep disturbances, the absence of a specified traumatic event and the focus on "nervousness" and "chronic tension" makes GAD a more direct fit. *Obsessive-compulsive disorder* - OCD involves **recurrent, intrusive thoughts (obsessions)** and repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions) performed to alleviate anxiety. - The symptoms described do not include typical obsessions or compulsions, making this diagnosis less likely. *Agoraphobia* - This is an anxiety disorder characterized by intense fear and avoidance of situations where escape might be difficult or help unavailable, often involving public places or crowds. - While agoraphobia can cause anxiety and autonomic symptoms, the primary description of chronic tension and generalized nervousness is not the hallmark feature of this condition.
Practice by Chapter
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Practice Questions
Panic Disorder
Practice Questions
Social Anxiety Disorder
Practice Questions
Specific Phobias
Practice Questions
Agoraphobia
Practice Questions
Separation Anxiety Disorder
Practice Questions
Selective Mutism
Practice Questions
Pharmacotherapy of Anxiety Disorders
Practice Questions
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Anxiety
Practice Questions
Other Psychotherapies for Anxiety
Practice Questions
Anxiety in Children and Adolescents
Practice Questions
Treatment-Resistant Anxiety
Practice Questions
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