Anxiety disorders

Question 1

What is separation anxiety disorder?

Answer 1

• Excessive anxiety regarding separation from places or people to whom they have a strong emotional attachment.

Question 2

How many of the 8 criteria must be met for a diagnosis of separation anxiety disorder? List as many as you can

Answer 2

3 of 8 of:

• excessive distress while anticipating or experiencing separation
• excessive worry about losing major attachment figure or about harm to them
• excessive worry about an event that will separate them from attachment figure
• reluctance or refusal to go anywhere due to fear of separation
• Excessive fear about being alone or without figure
• Refusal to sleep away from attachment figure
• Repeat nightmares with theme of separation
• repeat physical symptoms when separation from figure is anticipated

Question 3

For a diagnosis of separation anxiety disorder how long must criterion be met in children or adolescents? How about in adults?

Answer 3

• Children/Teens: 4+ weeks

- Adults: 6+ months

Question 4

The condition where there is a consistent failure to speak in specific social situations (ex. School) despite speaking in other situations is known as what?

Answer 4

• Selective mutism

Question 5

How long must a person have selctive mutism before a diagnosis can be made? What is the exception to this?

Answer 5

• 1 month

- Exception: not in the first month of school where may occur due to shyness

Question 6

What is social anxiety disorder?

Answer 6

• The fear of humiliation or embarrassment in social settings