Which broad category includes psychological disorders characterized by distressing, persistent anxiety or maladaptive behaviors that reduce anxiety?

Which broad category includes psychological disorders characterized by distressing, persistent anxiety or maladaptive behaviors that reduce anxiety?

• A. Anxiety disorders
• B. Autism spectrum disorder
• C. ADHD
• D. Ataque de nervios

Answer: (A)

The main idea is recognizing the broad class of disorders defined by distressing, persistent anxiety or by maladaptive behaviors aimed at reducing that anxiety. Anxiety disorders encompass conditions where fear, worry, or avoidance is central and leads to noticeable impairment, often with coping strategies that keep anxiety in check, such as avoidance or ritual-like actions. Autism spectrum disorder involves developmental differences in social interaction and communication, along with restricted/repetitive behaviors, not primarily about persistent anxiety or anxiety-driven coping. ADHD centers on patterns of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity. Ataque de nervios is a culture-bound syndrome describing a crisis-like appearance of intense distress and somatic symptoms in certain cultural contexts, not a broad DSM-5 category of anxiety-focused disorders. So the best fit is the broad category that specifically centers on distressing, persistent anxiety and anxiety-reducing behaviors.

The main idea is recognizing the broad class of disorders defined by distressing, persistent anxiety or by maladaptive behaviors aimed at reducing that anxiety. Anxiety disorders encompass conditions where fear, worry, or avoidance is central and leads to noticeable impairment, often with coping strategies that keep anxiety in check, such as avoidance or ritual-like actions.

Autism spectrum disorder involves developmental differences in social interaction and communication, along with restricted/repetitive behaviors, not primarily about persistent anxiety or anxiety-driven coping. ADHD centers on patterns of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity. Ataque de nervios is a culture-bound syndrome describing a crisis-like appearance of intense distress and somatic symptoms in certain cultural contexts, not a broad DSM-5 category of anxiety-focused disorders.

So the best fit is the broad category that specifically centers on distressing, persistent anxiety and anxiety-reducing behaviors.