A 28-year-old female presents to the clinic with complaints of excessive worry that she can't control. She reports worrying about her job performance, health, and relationships for the past six months. The patient experiences restlessness, fatigue, irritability, and difficulty concentrating. She denies any panic attacks or significant changes in her life recently. MCQs: What is the primary diagnosis for this patient? A) Panic disorder B) Generalized anxiety disorder C) Social anxiety disorder D) Major depressive disorder Which of the following is a key component of CBT for generalized anxiety disorder? A) Exposure therapy B) Thought restructuring C) Medication management D) Sleep hygiene education What is the first-line pharmacotherapy option for this patient? A) Buspirone B) Diazepam C) Sertraline D) Clonazepam Answers with Explanations: Answer: B) Generalized anxiety disorder Explanation: The patient's excessive worry and associated symptoms align with the criteria for GAD. Answer: B) Thought restructuring Explanation: CBT focuses on identifying and challenging distorted thoughts and beliefs that contribute to anxiety. Answer: C) Sertraline Explanation: SSRIs, such as sertraline, are first-line pharmacotherapy for generalized anxiety disorder. Overview of the Topic: Generalized Anxiety Disorder GAD is characterized by persistent and excessive worry about various aspects of life. Treatment typically involves a combination of CBT and pharmacotherapy. Diagnostic Criteria and Differential Diagnosis: Diagnostic Criteria: Excessive anxiety and worry occurring more days than not for at least six months. Difficulty controlling the worry. Associated symptoms: restlessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, and sleep disturbances. Differential Diagnosis: Major depressive disorder Panic disorder Social anxiety disorder Adjustment disorder Management Options: Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Introduce CBT to help her identify and challenge her anxious thoughts and develop coping strategies. Pharmacotherapy: Discuss starting an SSRI, such as sertraline, for managing anxiety symptoms. Key Learning Points: Understand the diagnostic criteria and differential diagnoses for GAD. CBT is effective for managing anxiety, and SSRIs are commonly used in pharmacotherapy.
