A 20-Year-Old College Student Comes to the Office Due to Anxiety

A 20-year-old college student comes to the office due to anxiety.  She is very worried because she has an important presentation coming up in a few weeks and is afraid that "everyone will see how anxious I am."  The patient reports that she had to leave in the middle of her last presentation because her heart suddenly began racing, her voice started to crack, and her face turned bright red.  The patient says school has been stressful due to a heavy class load.  She recently ended a relationship with her boyfriend of 6 months but feels supported by her friends.  She drinks alcohol and uses marijuana socially.  Family history is significant for anxiety, depression, and alcohol dependence in her mother.  Blood pressure is 134/82 mm Hg, pulse is 86/min, and respirations are 12/min.  Physical examination is unremarkable.  Mental status examination shows an initially tense patient who relaxes as the interview progresses.  The patient requests medication to help with her symptoms.  Which of the following is the most appropriate pharmacotherapy for this patient?

A) Buspirone
B) Diazepam
C) Lorazepam
D) Paroxetine
E) Propranolol
F) Venlafaxine

Correct Answer:

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