9990 · 1.4.1
Diagnostic criteria for anxiety disorders and fear-related disorders flashcards
Revision flashcards for Cambridge 9990 Diagnostic criteria for anxiety disorders and fear-related disorders (syllabus 1.4.1). Flip, recall, then mark a real past-paper question.
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GAD key criteria?
Excessive anxiety and worry more days than not for ≥6 months; difficult to control; three+ symptoms (restlessness, fatigue, concentration problems, irritability, muscle tension, sleep disturbance).
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Specific phobia?
Marked fear/anxiety about specific object/situation — almost always provokes immediate fear; actively avoided; disproportionate to actual danger.
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Panic disorder?
Recurrent unexpected panic attacks (surge of intense fear with physical symptoms) plus ≥1 month of persistent concern about further attacks or maladaptive avoidance.
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Normal fear vs phobia?
Fear is proportionate and situational; phobia is **persistent**, **disproportionate**, leads to **avoidance** and **impairment**.
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Comorbidity in anxiety?
GAD, depression, and other anxiety disorders frequently co-occur — shared 'negative affect' dimension challenges distinct categories.
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Cultural factors?
Culture-bound syndromes (e.g. ataques de nervios) may overlap with panic — Western criteria may not capture all expressions of distress.
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What is the core diagnostic feature of Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?
Excessive anxiety and worry about a number of events or activities, occurring more days than not for at least 6 months. The individual finds the worry difficult to control.
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What is the key difference between a panic attack and Panic Disorder?
A panic attack is a single event of intense fear. Panic Disorder is a diagnosis requiring recurrent, *unexpected* panic attacks, followed by at least one month of persistent concern about having more attacks or significant behavioural changes to avoid them.
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According to DSM-5, what defines a Specific Phobia?
Marked fear or anxiety about a specific object or situation, which almost always provokes immediate fear, is actively avoided, and is out of proportion to the actual danger posed, causing significant distress or impairment.
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What is the minimum number of symptoms required during a panic attack for it to be classified as such by the DSM-5?
Four or more of the 13 listed physical and cognitive symptoms (e.g., palpitations, sweating, trembling, shortness of breath, fear of dying).
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What is the duration criterion for GAD versus the follow-up criterion for Panic Disorder?
For GAD, the excessive worry must occur more days than not for at least 6 months. For Panic Disorder, there must be at least 1 month of persistent concern or behavioural change following the recurrent attacks.