Rosh Psychiatry Board Practice Exam

What condition is suspected in a patient exhibiting fear and anxiety about driving after a traumatic experience?

1. Generalized anxiety disorder

2. Specific phobia

3. Post-traumatic stress disorder

4. Obsessive-compulsive disorder

The correct answer is: Specific phobia

The situation described, where a patient is exhibiting fear and anxiety about driving following a traumatic experience, aligns most closely with a specific phobia. Specific phobia is characterized by a marked and persistent fear of a specific object or situation—in this case, driving—that is disproportionate to the actual danger posed. The fear and anxiety can be debilitating, leading the individual to avoid driving entirely. The context of the traumatic experience serves to reinforce this phobia, as the individual associates driving with the trauma, leading to heightened anxiety when thinking about or encountering the situation. While the other conditions mentioned can also involve anxiety, they do not capture the specific, context-driven fear exhibited here as effectively. Generalized anxiety disorder involves a wider range of anxiety across multiple situations rather than a focused fear. Post-traumatic stress disorder can include anxiety and fear, but it is a more complex condition characterized by a broader set of symptoms like reliving the traumatic experience, avoidance of reminders, and hyperarousal. Obsessive-compulsive disorder is defined by intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors that are not limited to a specific situation but affect a variety of areas in the individual’s life. Hence, given the context of the patient's experience—and the targeted nature of their fear—specific ph