Anxiety wears many faces — and as a psychiatric NP, you need to quickly recognize them all. This cheat sheet breaks down the core anxiety disorders: GAD, panic disorder, social anxiety, specific phobias, and more. It gives you fast access to DSM-5 criteria, clinical red flags, and common physical symptoms that mimic medical issues. It also includes screening tools like GAD-7, initial med options (SSRIs, SNRIs, buspirone), and non-pharmacologic interventions like CBT and grounding techniques.
Designed for speed and clarity, this reference helps you make confident decisions — whether you’re triaging in a busy clinic or managing long-term care. From differentiating anxiety from hyperthyroidism, to knowing when to refer for trauma-focused therapy, this guide puts clinical precision in your pocket. Because in psych, knowing the why behind the worry is just as important as treating the symptoms.