What are 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:
- Selective Mutism
- Separation Anxiety
- Specific Phobia
- Social Anxiety Disorder
- Agoraphobia
- Panic Disorder
- 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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About the Author - Dr. Johann de Chickera
Dr. Johann is a fully licensed Naturopathic Doctor. His approach emphasizes the importance of living a healthy lifestyle and improving one’s health naturally. Dr. Johann obtained a Doctor of Naturopathy at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM). Education at CCNM is a vigorous four years, with a curriculum involving biomedical sciences, physical diagnosis, clinical nutrition, traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture, botanical (herbal) medicine, physical medicine, homeopathy and lifestyle management.
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