Anxiety disorders are mental disorders characterized by feelings of anxiety (i.e. worry about future events) and fear (i.e. reaction to current events).
Sx
Emotions, ranging from Simple nervousness to Bouts of terror
Physical Sx, e.g. racing heart, and shakiness.
There are different types of anxiety disorders, including:
Generalized anxiety disorder, is a persistent anxiety, that is not specific for any one object/situation
Phobic disorder, is a persistent fear of an object or situation in which the patient commits to great lengths in avoiding, typically disproportionate to the actual danger posed, often being recognized as irrational. In the event the phobia can't be avoided entirely, the patient will endure the situation or object with marked distress, and significant interference in social or occupational activities
Tokophobia, is a fear of pregnancy and childbirth
Social anxiety disorder (see page)
Panic disorder, involves recurring panic attacks, causing a series of intense episodes of extreme anxiety during panic attacks. It may also include significant behavioral change lasting at least a month, and of ongoing worry about the implications or concern about having other attacks
OCD (Obsessive-compulsive disorder), is repetitive obsessions (distressing, persistent, intrusive thoughts/images) and compulsions (urges to perform specific acts/rituals). The pattern can be likened to superstitions insofar that it involves belief in a causative relationship where one doesn't exist (and is illogical)
PTSD (Post-traumatic stress disorder), occurs after a patient is exposed to one or more traumatic events, e.g. sexual assault, warfare, traffic collisions, terrorism, or other threats on a patient's life. Sx include disturbing recurrent flashbacks, avoidance or numbing of memories of the event, and hyperarousal. These symptoms must continue for more than a month after the occurrence of a traumatic event
Separation anxiety disorder, is where a patient experiences excessive anxiety regarding separation from home or from people to whom the patient has a strong emotional attachment (e.g. a parent, caregiver, sibling, or teachers). It is most common in infants and small children, typically between the ages of 6 months to 3 years of age. It is a natural part of the developmental process. Unlike social anxiety disorder (involving excessive anxiety), normal separation anxiety indicates healthy advancement in a child's cognitive maturation, and should not be considered a developing behavioral problem. Rather, it is a disorder when it involves excessive display of fear and distress when faced with situations of separation from the home or a specific attachment figure. The expression is atypical of the expected developmental level and age. The severity of Sx ranges from anticipatory uneasiness to full blown anxiety about separation. It may cause significant effects within areas of social and emotional functioning, family life, and physical health of the patient.
Situational anxiety, is anxiety caused by new/changing situations/events, and events that make an individual uncomfortable. Examples include entering college, getting married, having children, and agoraphobia (i.e. anxiety in situations where the patient perceives the environment to be dangerous, uncomfortable, or unsafe. These situations can include wide-open spaces, uncontrollable social situations, unfamiliar places, shopping malls, airports, and bridges)
Selective mutism, is where a patient who is normally capable of speech doesn't speak in specific situations or to specific people. It usually co-exists with shyness or social anxiety. Patients may stay silent even when the consequences of their silence include shame, social ostracism or even punishment
DDx
Hyperthyroidism, that mimics the Sx of anxiety disorder
Causes
Partly genetic
Drug use (including alcohol, caffeine, withdrawal from certain drugs)
Epidemiology
Twice as common in females than males
Generally begins during childhood
Affects 15% of the population
Comorbidities include Depresssion, Bipolar disorder, certain Personality disorders, and Eating disorders
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