Anxiety Differential Diagnosis

Differential Diagnosis

Other psychiatric disorders such as major depression should be assessed as patients may also present with mixed anxiety-depressive disorder.  

Medical Illness  

In anxiety disorders, it is important to evaluate for underlying disorders that may cause symptoms of anxiety such as hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, Cushing’s disease, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, mitral valve prolapse, etc. The illness is then treated appropriately.  

Substance Abuse or Medication Use  

Withdrawal or use of addictive substances that may cause anxiety (eg caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, illegal substance) is inquired. Misuse of alcohol or drugs may be an attempt to reduce anxiety in patients with SAD. History of medications that may cause anxiety (eg steroids, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors [SSRIs], Thyroxine, Theophylline, herbal products) is obtained. Patients should be assessed for substance abuse as this may be a complication of GAD.