What the exam asks
- Symptom Identification (MCQ): Given a short vignette, identify which disorder a person’s symptoms are most consistent with—paying close attention to the specific trigger, duration, and behavioral response.
- Culture-Bound Syndromes (MCQ): Recognize how cultural context shapes anxiety symptoms, specifically ataque de nervios and taijin kyofusho.
- Etiology and Perspectives (MCQ & EBQ): Explain how classical and operant conditioning, cognitive appraisals, evolutionary preparedness, or neurotransmitter and brain-circuitry differences contribute to these disorders.
Core ideas
Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders are characterized by excessive, persistent fear (the emotional response to a real or perceived imminent threat) or anxiety (anticipation of a future threat), accompanied by behavioral disturbances such as extreme avoidance.
| Disorder | Core Features & Triggers | Typical Behavioral Disturbance |
|---|---|---|
| Specific Phobia | Intense, irrational fear of a specific object or situation (e.g., spiders, heights, flying, blood). | Active avoidance of the specific stimulus; immediate fear if encountered. |
| Agoraphobia | Fear or anxiety about at least two of the following: public transportation, open spaces, enclosed places, standing in line/crowds, or being outside the home alone. Driven by thoughts that escape might be difficult or help unavailable if panic-like symptoms occur. | Refusing to leave home or requiring a companion in public spaces. |
| Panic Disorder | Recurrent, unexpected panic attacks (sudden surges of intense fear peaking within minutes, with physical symptoms like heart palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, and fear of dying or losing control). | Persistent worry about having additional attacks or maladaptive changes in behavior to avoid attacks. |
| Social Anxiety Disorder | Intense fear of social or performance situations in which the individual is exposed to possible scrutiny or negative evaluation by others. | Avoiding social gatherings, public speaking, or eating in front of others. |
| Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) | Persistent, excessive, and unfocused (“free-floating”) worry about multiple everyday domains (work, health, family, finances) for at least 6 months, accompanied by muscle tension, restlessness, fatigue, or sleep disturbance. | Inability to control the worry; constant reassurance-seeking or procrastination. |