Written by Leya Bedar
Anxiety (insomnia, racing thoughts, change in appetite, stress)
Other differentials:
Hyperthyroidism (possible due to racing thoughts but less likely as lack of systemic features)
Depression (possible due to sleep disturbance and change in mood, but less likely due to lack of helplessness, typical depression features, and no self-harm or suicidal thoughts)
Mark scheme for history taking can be found below
Respiratory history 1 Written by Olivia Nwosu Diagnosis: Tuberculosis (constitutional symptoms, recent travel history) Other differentials: Lung cancer (This is the main differential, but the travel history and low amount of cigarettes make this less likely) Sarcoidosis (can produce a cough and systemic features but less likely due to no SOB and other body systems…
Anxiety Anxiety is a feeling of worry or fear. It is common reaction to life events like taking an important exam or giving a speech to a crowd. But some people find it hard to control. When the feeling of anxiety is more constant and affects your daily life. This is when it starts to…
Neurological history 1 Written by Leya Bedar Diagnosis: Tension headache (band-like distribution of pain, tight and constricting, link to stress, responds to painkillers, stress) Differential diagnosis: Migraine (generalised pain, stress, responds to painkillers but less likely due to nature of pain and lack of aura, photophobia, or clear triggers) Dehydration (dull headache but unlikely due…
Cardiovascular history 5 Written by Leya Bedar Diagnosis: Anaemia (age, menorrhagia, SOB, lethargy, palpitations, pallor, dizziness) Other differentials: Anxiety (episodic shortness of breath and palpitations but less likely due to other physical manifestations and lack of anxiousness) Thyroid disease (SOB, lethargy, palpitations, but less likely due to menorrhagia in history and lack of other physical…
Neurological history 6 Written by Leya Bedar Diagnosis: Giant cell arteritis (age, location of pain, jaw claudication, intense throbbing, visual disturbance) Other differentials: Trigeminal neuralgia (location of pain, worsens with certain actions but less likely due to visual disturbance) Migraine (intense throbbing pain, visual changes could be aura, but less likely due to location of…
