Question

Define anxiety. Discuss the major anxiety disorders and their symptoms.

Hint:

{Major Anxiety Disorders Summary:}

• {GAD:} Constant worry about everything
• {Panic Disorder:} Sudden attacks of intense fear
• {Social Phobia:} Fear of social judgment
• {Specific Phobia:} Fear of specific objects/situations
• {Agoraphobia:} Fear of being trapped with no escape

Answer 1

Part 1: Definition of Anxiety Anxiety is an emotional state characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts, and physical changes like increased blood pressure. It is a normal and often adaptive response to stress or danger (the "fight-or-flight" response). However, when anxiety becomes excessive, persistent, and disproportionate to the actual threat, it becomes pathological and may be diagnosed as an anxiety disorder. Key features of anxiety:

• Cognitive: Excessive worry, racing thoughts, difficulty concentrating
• Physiological: Increased heart rate, sweating, trembling, shortness of breath
• Behavioral: Avoidance of feared situations, restlessness, fidgeting
• Emotional: Feelings of dread, apprehension, irritability

Part 2: Major Anxiety Disorders and Their Symptoms 1. Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD):

• Core Feature: Excessive, uncontrollable worry about multiple events or activities (work, school, health, finances) occurring more days than not for at least 6 months
• Symptoms (at least 3):
  • Restlessness or feeling keyed up/on edge
  • Easy fatigue
  • Difficulty concentrating or mind going blank
  • Irritability
  • Muscle tension
  • Sleep disturbance (difficulty falling/staying asleep, restless sleep)
• Example: Person constantly worries about job security, family health, and financial stability simultaneously, despite no objective reason

2. Panic Disorder:

• Core Feature: Recurrent unexpected panic attacks, with at least one month of persistent concern about having another attack or changing behavior to avoid attacks
• Panic Attack Symptoms (sudden surge, peak within minutes, at least 4):
  • Palpitations, pounding heart, accelerated heart rate
  • Sweating
  • Trembling or shaking
  • Sensations of shortness of breath or smothering
  • Feelings of choking
  • Chest pain or discomfort
  • Nausea or abdominal distress
  • Feeling dizzy, unsteady, lightheaded, or faint
  • Chills or heat sensations
  • Paresthesias (numbness or tingling)
  • Derealization or depersonalization
  • Fear of losing control or "going crazy"
  • Fear of dying
• Example: Person suddenly experiences intense fear with heart racing, sweating, and fear of dying while shopping, then avoids shopping malls

3. Social Anxiety Disorder (Social Phobia):

• Core Feature: Marked fear or anxiety about one or more social situations where the person is exposed to possible scrutiny by others
• Symptoms:
  • Fear of acting in a way that will be negatively evaluated (humiliated, embarrassed, rejected)
  • Social situations almost always provoke fear or anxiety
  • Situations are avoided or endured with intense fear
  • Fear is out of proportion to actual threat
  • Significant distress or impairment in functioning
• Common feared situations: Public speaking, meeting new people, eating in front of others, using public restrooms
• Example: Person experiences extreme anxiety when giving presentations, avoids social gatherings, and has difficulty making friends

4. Specific Phobia:

• Core Feature: Marked fear or anxiety about a specific object or situation
• Common types:
  • Animal type (spiders, snakes, dogs)
  • Natural environment type (heights, storms, water)
  • Blood-injection-injury type (needles, medical procedures)
  • Situational type (airplanes, elevators, enclosed spaces)
  • Other type (choking, vomiting, loud sounds)
• Symptoms:
  • Phobic object/situation almost always provokes immediate fear
  • Actively avoided or endured with intense fear
  • Fear out of proportion to actual danger
  • Significant distress or impairment
• Example: Person with acrophobia (fear of heights) cannot go to tall buildings, avoids bridges, and experiences panic on upper floors

5. Agoraphobia:

• Core Feature: Marked fear or anxiety about at least two of the following situations:
  • Using public transportation
  • Being in open spaces
  • Being in enclosed spaces
  • Standing in line or being in a crowd
  • Being outside the home alone
• Symptoms:
  • Fear of situations where escape might be difficult or help unavailable if panic symptoms occur
  • Situations are avoided, require companion, or endured with intense fear
  • Fear out of proportion to actual danger
  • Significant distress or impairment
• Example: Person becomes housebound, unable to go grocery shopping or attend appointments without extreme distress

Additional Disorders (formerly anxiety disorders in DSM-IV):

• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Now classified separately; involves obsessions (intrusive thoughts) and compulsions (repetitive behaviors)
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Now classified under Trauma and Stressor-Related Disorders; follows exposure to traumatic events

Thus, anxiety disorders share common features of excessive fear and avoidance but differ in their triggers, symptom patterns, and focus of concern.