ANXIETY DISORDERS DIAGNOSIS |
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The diagnosis of anxiety disorders is
complicated by the variety of causes of anxiety and the range of
disorders that may include anxiety as a symptom. Many patients who
suffer from anxiety disorders have features or symptoms of more than
one disorder. Patients whose anxiety is accounted for by another
psychic disorder, such as schizophrenia or major depression, are not
diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. A doctor examining an anxious
patient will usually begin by ruling out diseases that are known to
cause anxiety and then proceed to take the patient's medication
history, in order to exclude side effects of prescription drugs.
Most doctors will ask about caffeine consumption to see if the
patient's dietary habits are a factor. The patient's work and family
situation will also be discussed. Laboratory tests for blood sugar
and thyroid function are also common
Diagnostic testing for anxiety
There are no laboratory tests that can diagnose anxiety, although
the doctor may order some specific tests to rule out disease
conditions. Although there is no psychiatric test that can provide
definite diagnoses of anxiety disorders, there are several
short-answer interviews or symptom inventories that doctors can use
to evaluate the intensity of a patient's anxiety and some of its
associated features. These measures include the Hamilton Anxiety
Scale and the Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule (ADIS). |
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| ANXIETY DISORDERS RELATED ITEMS |
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