Anxiety & Personality Disorders

Topics in this chapter

• Anxiety Disorders and Diagnosis
• Cluster A Personality Disorders
• Cluster B Personality Disorders
• Cluster C Personality Disorders
• Personality Defense Mechanisms
• Anxiety Pharmacotherapy and Neurobiology

Practice questions

1. Question 1Q-F38654

   A 28-year-old software engineer presents to the outpatient psychiatry department complaining of excessive, uncontrollable worry about his job performance, finances, and health that has persisted for the past 9 months. He reports feeling constantly restless, easily fatigued, irritable, and has difficulty falling asleep due to a racing mind. He does not experience discrete panic attacks or specific phobias. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?

   1. A.Panic Disorder
   2. B.Generalized Anxiety Disorder
   3. C.Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
   4. D.Social Anxiety Disorder
   See the answer and solution
2. Question 2Q-28FA27

   A 32-year-old woman is brought to the emergency department experiencing a sudden onset of intense fear, palpitations, chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, and a profound fear of dying. The episode peaked within 10 minutes and subsided after about 30 minutes. She reports having had several similar unexpected episodes over the past month, accompanied by persistent worry about having another attack. Which neurotransmitter system is primarily implicated in the pathophysiology of this condition and targeted by acute benzodiazepine treatment?

   1. A.Dopaminergic
   2. B.GABAergic
   3. C.Serotonergic
   4. D.Cholinergic
   See the answer and solution
3. Question 3Q-B4E4F4

   A 24-year-old medical student avoids giving presentations or speaking in public because she fears she will be scrutinized and humiliated by others. When forced to present at a seminar, she experiences intense anxiety, blushing, and tremulousness. This fear has been present for over a year and significantly impairs her academic functioning. What is the first-line pharmacotherapy for this condition?

   1. A.Typical antipsychotics
   2. B.Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
   3. C.Lithium carbonate
   4. D.Methylphenidate
   See the answer and solution
4. Question 4Q-E7C0B5

   A 35-year-old man is brought to the psychiatric clinic by his family due to a lifelong pattern of detachment from social relationships and a restricted range of expression of emotions in interpersonal settings. He almost always chooses solitary activities, has no close friends, appears indifferent to praise or criticism, and takes pleasure in very few activities. He has never had psychotic episodes. Which personality disorder is most likely?

   1. A.Schizotypal Personality Disorder
   2. B.Avoidant Personality Disorder
   3. C.Schizoid Personality Disorder
   4. D.Paranoid Personality Disorder
   See the answer and solution
5. Question 5Q-97CDCE

   A 26-year-old woman is evaluated for a history of unstable interpersonal relationships, recurrent suicidal threats, chronic feelings of emptiness, intense fear of abandonment, and impulsivity in spending and reckless driving. She frequently oscillates between idealizing and devaluing her friends and partners. Which defense mechanism is classically and predominantly associated with this personality disorder?

   1. A.Intellectualization
   2. B.Splitting
   3. C.Reaction formation
   4. D.Altruism
   See the answer and solution