A 32-Year-Old Woman Comes to the Office Due to Overwhelming

A 32-year-old woman comes to the office due to overwhelming anxiety and stress.  The patient is an accountant and has been under increasing job-related pressure for the past 6 weeks due to an upcoming tax deadline.  She says, "The worst part is that I get really nervous all of a sudden and then feel shaky, dizzy, and nauseated and start to sweat.  It happened while I spoke to my boss a few weeks ago, and I had to excuse myself."  The patient is especially worried about having an episode during a work meeting, although she notes that her symptoms have also occurred while she was relaxing at home.  She says, "I've stopped going out with my friends because I never know when I'm going to feel this way."  The patient has no significant medical history and does not use alcohol or drugs.  Blood pressure is 120/70 mm Hg, pulse is 72/min, and respirations are 18/min.  Physical examination and laboratory evaluation show no abnormalities.  Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?

A) Acute stress disorder
B) Adjustment disorder with anxious mood
C) Generalized anxiety disorder
D) Panic disorder
E) Social anxiety disorder
F) Specific phobia

Correct Answer:

Verified

Unlock this answer now
Get Access to more Verified Answers free of charge

Access For Free