A 32-year-old woman comes to the psychiatry outpatient with complaints of constricting headaches and neck pain as well. The patient repos that her symptoms have worsened in last 6 months after she joined a new job. Her husband repos that she always had a tendency to worry excessively, even about the small things. The patient describes that she feels that her mind never stops working and that she is alway worried about either her job, or her kids or her parents. She repos feeling of irritability and fatigue. Family history is significant for major depressive disorder in her mother. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
A 32-year-old woman comes to the psychiatry outpatient with complaints of constricting headaches and neck pain as well. The patient repos that her symptoms have worsened in last 6 months after she joined a new job. Her husband repos that she always had a tendency to worry excessively, even about the small things. The patient describes that she feels that her mind never stops working and that she is alway worried about either her job, or her kids or her parents. She repos feeling of irritability and fatigue. Family history is significant for major depressive disorder in her mother. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
💡 Explanation
**Core Concept**
The patient's symptoms of excessive worry, constricting headaches, neck pain, irritability, and fatigue, along with a family history of major depressive disorder, suggest a diagnosis related to anxiety and stress. The patient's description of her mind never stopping and excessive worry about multiple things points towards an anxiety disorder.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The patient's symptoms are characteristic of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), which is a chronic condition involving excessive worry about everyday things, even when there is no apparent reason to worry. This excessive worry is often accompanied by physical symptoms such as headaches, neck pain, irritability, and fatigue. GAD is often comorbid with other anxiety disorders and mood disorders, including major depressive disorder, as seen in this patient's family history.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** Social Phobia is a type of anxiety disorder characterized by a fear of social situations due to fear of being judged or evaluated. While the patient's excessive worry could be related to social situations, her symptoms do not specifically point towards social phobia.
**Option B:** Panic Disorder is a type of anxiety disorder characterized by recurrent panic attacks, which are intense episodes of fear or discomfort that reach a peak within minutes and include symptoms such as palpitations, sweating, and shortness of breath. The patient's symptoms do not specifically point towards panic disorder.
**Option C:** Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a type of anxiety disorder characterized by recurring, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions) that an individual feels the urge to perform in response to those thoughts. The patient's symptoms do not specifically point towards OCD.
**Option D:** Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a type of anxiety disorder that develops after a person experiences a traumatic event. The patient's symptoms do not specifically point towards PTSD.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
GAD often co-exists with other anxiety disorders and mood disorders, making it essential to assess for comorbidities in patients with GAD. Additionally, GAD can have a significant impact on a person's quality of life, affecting their relationships, work performance, and overall well-being.
**Correct Answer:** C.
✓ Correct Answer: C. Generalized anxiety disorder
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