Anxiety Disorders Practice Questions

Q: Which of the following is not classified as an anxiety disorder?

Schizophrenia. ***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.

Q: Specific phobias are best classified under which of the following categories?

Anxiety disorders. **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.

Q: 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.

Agoraphobia. ***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.

Q: 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?

Panic attack. ***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.

Q: Which of the following features is not associated with panic disorder?

Flashbacks. ***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.

Q: Which of the following is not a typical feature of anxiety neurosis?

Abnormal gait. ***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

Q: 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?

Generalized anxiety disorder. ***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.

Question 1

Which of the following is not classified as an anxiety disorder?

Accepted Answer

Schizophrenia

Answer

Generalized anxiety disorder

Answer

Panic disorder

Answer

None of the options

Question 2

Specific phobias are best classified under which of the following categories?

Accepted Answer

Anxiety disorders

Answer

Mood disorders

Answer

Psychotic disorders

Answer

Personality disorders

Question 3

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.

Accepted Answer

Agoraphobia

Answer

Fear of animals

Answer

Fear of heights

Answer

Fear of social situations

Question 4

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?

Accepted Answer

Panic attack

Answer

Acute psychosis

Answer

Generalized anxiety disorder

Answer

Factitious disorder

Question 5

Which of the following features is not associated with panic disorder?

Accepted Answer

Flashbacks

Answer

Agoraphobia

Answer

Anticipatory anxiety

Answer

Panic attacks

Question 6

Which of the following is not a typical feature of anxiety neurosis?

Accepted Answer

Abnormal gait

Answer

Sweating

Answer

Dryness of mouth

Answer

Palpitation

Question 7

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?

Accepted Answer

Generalized anxiety disorder

Answer

Post-traumatic stress disorder

Answer

Obsessive-compulsive disorder

Answer

Agoraphobia

Anxiety Disorders — MCQs

Anxiety Disorders — MCQs

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