The symptoms Beatrice is manifesting align with 300.02 (F41.1) DSM V classification, namely Generalized Anxiety Disorder. The disease is characterized by excessive anxiety and negative expectations that manifest themselves for a period of over 6 months. The other symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder, not listed in the given case, include restlessness, fatigue, irritability, difficulties in concentrating on work or studies, and sleep disturbance (American Psychiatric Association, 2018, p. 222). Moreover, in patients diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder, their anxious state severely impairs their everyday functioning and has a pronounced effect on everyday routine tasks. Associated symptoms of the disease comprise “muscle tension, trembling, twitching, feeling shaky, and muscle aches or soreness” as well as somatic symptoms and enhanced startle response (American Psychiatric Association, 2018, p. 223). Moreover, patients may experience conditions associated with stress such as headaches, increased heartbeat rate, and some others.
To help the diagnostics, the following questions may be asked:
- Were you very nervous, anxious or worried about something in the last 14 days?
- Were you unable to cope with the excitement and calm down on any occasion in the last 14 days?
- Was it difficult for you to relax in the last 14 days?
- Were you on any occasion so restless that it was hard for you to sit still?
- Are you easily annoyed or irritated?
- Have you ever experienced fear, as if something bad was going to happen?
- Have you ever been unable to finish work due to the anxiety and worries you experienced? If yes, on what occasions?
All the above listed questions serve to determine the level of anxiety and stress in an individuum as well as allow to conclude to what extent this stress impacts a person’s quality of life.
Reference
American Psychiatric Association (2018). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). American Psychiatric Publishing. Web.