Rosh Psychiatry Board Practice Exam

What behavioral symptom might suggest a need for further evaluation of possible phobias in a patient?

1. Frequent conflicts with authority

2. Social withdrawal and depression

3. Extreme anxiety when confronted with triggers

4. Physical complaints without medical cause

The correct answer is: Extreme anxiety when confronted with triggers

Recognizing extreme anxiety when a patient is confronted with specific triggers is a key behavioral symptom that can indicate the presence of phobias. In phobic disorders, individuals often experience intense fear or anxiety in response to particular objects, situations, or events, leading to significant distress or impairment in functioning. This reaction can manifest not only as panic attacks but also as avoidance behaviors, where individuals might go to great lengths to avoid encounters with their phobic triggers. The significance of identifying extreme anxiety in conjunction with triggers lies in its diagnostic relevance. It can help differentiate phobias from general anxiety disorders, as the anxiety in phobias is directly tied to specific stimuli. Recognizing this pattern can prompt a thorough evaluation and appropriate intervention strategies, making it essential in clinical practice. While frequent conflicts with authority, social withdrawal with depression, and physical complaints without medical cause might suggest other psychiatric conditions, they are not as directly indicative of phobic disorders as the extreme anxiety associated with specific triggers. Understanding this relationship helps clinicians recognize when further evaluation for phobias is necessary.