Question

A 45-year-old woman presents with a long-standing history of “feeling tensed” along with an upset stomach, diarrhea, and heartburn. She mentions that her family members also experience similar symptoms. Which of the following symptoms is most likely to be observed in this patient?

• A. Neologisms
• B. Tingling at extremities
• C. Hallucinations
• D. Idea of reference

Hint:

In somatic symptom disorders or anxiety, look for physical manifestations like tingling or other somatic complaints without a clear medical cause.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

The scenario described involves symptoms such as feeling tense, an upset stomach, diarrhea, and heartburn, which are often associated with anxiety disorders. The patient's report of family members experiencing similar symptoms suggests a possible genetic predisposition or a shared environmental factor contributing to these symptoms. One potential complication of anxiety is hyperventilation, which can lead to respiratory alkalosis—a condition where there is a decrease in carbon dioxide levels in the blood due to excessive breathing.

Respiratory alkalosis can cause a variety of physiological symptoms, one common manifestation being tingling or numbness in the extremities. This occurs due to changes in calcium ion concentration in the blood which affects nerve function. Given these considerations, the symptom most likely to be observed in the context of an anxiety disorder and hyperventilation is tingling at extremities.

Other options such as neologisms, hallucinations, and ideas of reference are more typically associated with psychotic disorders rather than anxiety disorders.