Generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder vs OCD, PTSD, and acute stress disorder
How to tell Generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder and OCD, PTSD, and acute stress disorder apart when a board question makes them look alike.
GAD is 6-month worry; panic disorder is unexpected panic attacks; OCD is obsessions/compulsions; trauma plus duration separates acute stress from PTSD.
Side by side
Generalized anxiety disorder is excessive worry for at least 6 months; panic disorder is recurrent unexpected panic attacks plus persistent concern or behavior change.
OCD has intrusive obsessions and compulsions; PTSD and acute stress disorder follow trauma, separated mainly by duration after the event.
Anxiety disorders are separated by whether fear is diffuse chronic worry or discrete sudden panic attacks.
OCD is obsession-compulsion driven; trauma disorders require exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence.
Restlessness, fatigue, poor concentration, irritability, muscle tension, sleep disturbance, palpitations, trembling, dyspnea, and fear of dying help classify anxiety presentations.
Time-consuming compulsions support OCD; intrusion, avoidance, negative mood/cognition, and hyperarousal after trauma support PTSD or acute stress disorder.
The trap
Panic attacks can occur in many disorders; panic disorder requires recurrent unexpected attacks and ongoing concern or avoidance.
The repair move
For anxiety, identify whether the driver is chronic worry, unexpected attacks, compulsions, or trauma re-experiencing.
Try a free question
CoreA patient has 8 months of excessive uncontrollable worry about work, finances, and family with restlessness, muscle tension, poor concentration, irritability, and insomnia. Which diagnosis is most likely?
Show answer and explanation
Answer: A. Generalized anxiety disorder. Excessive worry across multiple domains for at least 6 months with physical tension symptoms supports generalized anxiety disorder.
Why the other choices are tempting
- B. Panic disorder centers on recurrent unexpected panic attacks.
- C. OCD centers on obsessions and compulsions.
- D. PTSD requires qualifying trauma and symptoms beyond 1 month.
- E. Acute stress disorder occurs shortly after qualifying trauma and lasts 3 days to 1 month.
Flashcards
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What duration supports generalized anxiety disorder?
Excessive worry for at least 6 months supports generalized anxiety disorder.
What defines panic disorder?
Recurrent unexpected panic attacks plus persistent concern or behavior change defines panic disorder.
Quick answers
What is the fastest way to tell Generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder from OCD, PTSD, and acute stress disorder?
GAD is 6-month worry; panic disorder is unexpected panic attacks; OCD is obsessions/compulsions; trauma plus duration separates acute stress from PTSD.
What is the key clue for Generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder?
Generalized anxiety disorder is excessive worry for at least 6 months; panic disorder is recurrent unexpected panic attacks plus persistent concern or behavior change.
What is the key clue for OCD, PTSD, and acute stress disorder?
OCD has intrusive obsessions and compulsions; PTSD and acute stress disorder follow trauma, separated mainly by duration after the event.
What is the common trap with Generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder vs OCD, PTSD, and acute stress disorder?
Panic attacks can occur in many disorders; panic disorder requires recurrent unexpected attacks and ongoing concern or avoidance.