Anxiety and related disorders: caffeine-induced anxiety: 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 and related disorders: caffeine-induced anxiety

Sample item

A medical student preparing for exams drinks eight cups of strong coffee and several energy drinks daily. She has restlessness, tremor, palpitations and insomnia, which fade when she cuts down over a holiday. What is the most appropriate diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Caffeine-induced anxiety disorder

Caffeine in high amounts can produce anxiety, tremor, tachycardia and insomnia, and the symptoms resolve when intake is reduced, which identifies a substance-induced anxiety disorder. A primary anxiety disorder is diagnosed only if symptoms persist when the substance is absent.

Option by option

  • A. Panic disorder

    Panic disorder involves unexpected attacks that continue regardless of intake.

  • B. Caffeine-induced anxiety disorder (correct)

    Correct. Symptoms tied to heavy caffeine intake that remit when it is reduced indicate a substance-induced disorder.

  • C. Generalised anxiety disorder

    Generalised anxiety would persist without the caffeine exposure.

  • D. Hyperthyroidism

    Hyperthyroidism would not remit simply by reducing caffeine.

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.

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Questions about this Psychiatry question

What is the answer to this Psychiatry question?

The best answer is B, Caffeine-induced anxiety disorder. Caffeine in high amounts can produce anxiety, tremor, tachycardia and insomnia, and the symptoms resolve when intake is reduced, which identifies a substance-induced anxiety disorder.

Why is "Panic disorder" not the answer?

Panic disorder involves unexpected attacks that continue regardless of intake.

Why is "Generalised anxiety disorder" not the answer?

Generalised anxiety would persist without the caffeine exposure.

Why is "Hyperthyroidism" not the answer?

Hyperthyroidism would not remit simply by reducing caffeine.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Anxiety and related disorders: caffeine-induced anxiety in Psychiatry. A primary anxiety disorder is diagnosed only if symptoms persist when the substance is absent.

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 and related disorders: caffeine-induced anxiety?

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.