[Differential diagnosis of the anxiety syndrome]

An attempt is made at the differential-diagnostic interpretation of the anxiety syndrome in different nosological entities. Three variants of the syndrome are identified: neurotic, psychotic, and somatogenic. Clinical characteristics of each variant are described in detail. In the course of a detailed differential-diagnostic interpretation the author analyzes the complex of symptoms forming the anxiety syndrome, their different combinations in relation to severity, the leading role of "axial" symptoms and their peculiarities, which makes the diagnostic process far easier and accurate.