Anxiety disorders: generalized anxiety disorder: practice question

A Psychiatry question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Psychiatry · Anxiety disorders: generalized anxiety disorder

Sample item

For eight months, a patient worries excessively about finances, family health, and work on most days. The worry is hard to control and is accompanied by restlessness, muscle tension, and poor concentration. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. Generalized anxiety disorder

Generalized anxiety disorder is excessive, difficult-to-control worry about multiple domains for at least six months, with associated physical or cognitive symptoms. It is not limited to discrete panic attacks or one feared situation.

Option by option

  • A. Panic disorder

    Panic disorder centers on recurrent unexpected panic attacks and concern about further attacks.

  • B. Generalized anxiety disorder (correct)

    Correct. Multi-domain, chronic, uncontrollable worry is characteristic.

  • C. Specific phobia

    A specific phobia is focused on a particular object or situation.

  • D. Acute stress disorder

    Acute stress disorder follows trauma and lasts from three days to one month.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More Psychiatry questions

Questions about this Psychiatry question

What is the answer to this Psychiatry question?

The best answer is B, Generalized anxiety disorder. Generalized anxiety disorder is excessive, difficult-to-control worry about multiple domains for at least six months, with associated physical or cognitive symptoms.

Why is "Panic disorder" not the answer?

Panic disorder centers on recurrent unexpected panic attacks and concern about further attacks.

Why is "Specific phobia" not the answer?

A specific phobia is focused on a particular object or situation.

Why is "Acute stress disorder" not the answer?

Acute stress disorder follows trauma and lasts from three days to one month.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Anxiety disorders: generalized anxiety disorder in Psychiatry. It is not limited to discrete panic attacks or one feared situation.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Anxiety disorders: generalized anxiety disorder?

Learn each diagnosis by its core features and its first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other Psychiatry questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.