Anxiety Disorders Practice Questions

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

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 2

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 3

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

Accepted Answer

Flashbacks

Answer

Agoraphobia

Answer

Anticipatory anxiety

Answer

Panic attacks

Question 4

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 5

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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