blog cover picture for article about anxiety disorders

Anxiety is a common group of mental disorders, there are various subtypes. Each one has some key differentiating factors but symptoms can definitely overlap. This article will highlight some of the main types of anxiety disorders, but we always recommend talking to a health care practitioner such as a Registered Social Worker to help make sense of things. 

The main anxiety disorders are: 

  1. Selective Mutism
  2. Separation Anxiety
  3. Specific Phobia
  4. Social Anxiety Disorder 
  5. Agoraphobia 
  6. Panic Disorder 
  7. Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Selective Mutism

Core Emotions or Cognitions

Consistent failure to speak in situations for which there is an expectation to speak, despite language competence

Physical Symptoms

No physical symptoms

Behaviours

Disturbance interferes with (educational) achievement or social communication

Required symptom duration

>1 month (beyond first school month)

Median age of onset

Childhood (<5 years)

Separation Anxiety

Core Emotions or Cognitions

Unrealistic, persistent fear or anxiety about separation from, or loss of, attachment figure, or adverse events occurring to them

Physical Symptoms

Nightmares and symptoms of distress

Behaviours

Reluctance to leave attachment figure; disturbance impairs social, school, or other functioning

Required symptom duration

>1 month (childhood; 4–18 years); >6 months (adulthood; 18 years or older)

Median age of onset

Childhood (around 6 years)

Specific Phobia

Core Emotions or Cognitions

Marked, excessive, and unreasonable fear or anxiety of circumscribed objects or situations (eg, animals, natural forces, blood injection, or places)

Physical Symptoms

No physical symptoms

Behaviours

Avoidance of circumscribed objects or situations; disturbance impairs social, school, work, or other functioning

Required symptom duration

>6 months

Median age of onset

Childhood (around 8 years)

Social Anxiety Disorder

Core Emotions or Cognitions

Marked, excessive, and unreasonable fear or anxiety of scrutiny or negative judgement by other people

Physical Symptoms

Blushing, fear of vomiting, urgency or fear of micturition or defaecation

Behaviours

Avoidance of social interactions and situations; disturbance impairs social, school, work, or other functioning

Required symptom duration

>6 months

Median age of onset

Early adolescence (around 13 years)

Agoraphobia

Core Emotions or Cognitions

Marked, excessive, and concerning fear of leaving home, entering closed or open public places, crowds, or transportation

Physical Symptoms

No physical symptoms

Behaviours

Avoidance of fear-inducing situations; disturbance impairs social, school, work, or other functioning

Required symptom duration

>6 months

Median age of onset

Late adolescence (around 20 years)

Panic Disorder

Core Emotions or Cognitions

Recurrent, unexpected panic attacks with sustained mental (eg, fear, fear of losing control, or feeling of alienation) manifestations

Physical Symptoms

Multiple symptoms (eg, palpitations, dyspnoea, diaphoresis, chest pain, dizziness, paraesthesia, or nausea)

Behaviours

Changed behavior in maladaptive ways related to the attacks; disturbance impairs social, school, work or other functioning

Required symptom duration

>1 month

 

Median age of onset

Adulthood (around 25 years)

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Core Emotions or Cognitions

Marked, uncontrollable, and anxious worry and fears about everyday events and problems

Physical Symptoms

Restlessness, fatigue, irritability, difficulty concentrating, muscle tension, sleep disturbance, or autonomic arousal

Behaviours

Disturbance impairs social, school, work, or other functioning

Required symptom duration

>6 months

 

Median age of onset

Adulthood (around 30 years)

Characteristics and features for anxiety disorders were based on criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (fifth edition) and International Classification of Diseases (11th edition).

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