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Patients Presenting With Anxiety and Mood Disturbance: The Importance of Correct Diagnosis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 October 2014

Ashley Craig
Ashley Craig*
Affiliation:
University of Technology, Sydney
*
Senior Lecturer in Psychology, St Leonards Campus, PO Box 123, Broadway NSW 2007, Australia
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Abstract

Difficulties can arise in correctly diagnosing clients who present with mood and anxiety disturbances. Unless a detailed history is taken and a comprehensive interview performed, errors of diagnosis are likely to occur which may result in aversive consequences. To illustrate this likelihood, two cases of persons exhibiting anxiety and mood disturbance are briefly reported. The first case involved a prior diagnosis of psychogenic disorder (Mood Disorder). However, further investigation of the client's symptoms revealed that the anxiety and depression were secondary and caused by an underlying organic disorder. The second case involved a prior diagnosis of a physically based disorder presenting with anxiety and depression (Multiple Sclerosis). However, further investigation of the client's symptoms revealed that the somatic symptoms were secondary and the mood and anxiety disturbance were primary symptoms. A model is presented as a guide to better understand the diagnostic process, comments upon the need for a detailed history and interview are offered, and problems arising from incorrect diagnoses are discussed.

Type
Research Article
Information
Behaviour Change , Volume 10 , Issue 2 , June 1993 , pp. 86 - 92
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s) 1993

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