Anxiety Disorders Quiz: Test Your Knowledge on Selective Mutism and More

Study Notes

Overview of Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders are a group of mental disorders characterized by significant and uncontrollable feelings of anxiety and fear that can impair a person's social, occupational, and personal function.
Anxiety may cause physical and cognitive symptoms, such as restlessness, irritability, easy fatiguability, difficulty concentrating, increased heart rate, chest pain, and abdominal pain.
Anxiety disorders are different from ordinary fears in that they are excessive or persist beyond the developmentally appropriate period.
There are several types of anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, illness anxiety disorder, specific phobia, social anxiety disorder, separation anxiety disorder, agoraphobia, panic disorder, and selective mutism.
The individual disorder can be diagnosed using the specific and unique symptoms, triggering events, and timing.
Anxiety disorders are the most common of mental disorders and affect nearly 30% of adults at some point in their lives.
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a common disorder, characterized by long-lasting anxiety which is not focused on any one object or situation.
Specific phobias are the single largest category of anxiety disorders and include all cases in which fear and anxiety are triggered by a specific stimulus or situation.
Panic disorder is characterized by brief attacks of intense terror and apprehension, often marked by trembling, shaking, confusion, dizziness, nausea, and/or difficulty breathing.
Agoraphobia is the specific anxiety about being in a place or situation where escape is difficult or embarrassing or where help may be unavailable.
Social anxiety disorder describes an intense fear and avoidance of negative public scrutiny, public embarrassment, humiliation, or social interaction.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) results from a traumatic experience and affects approximately 3.5% of U.S. adults every year.
Selective mutism (SM) is a disorder in which a person who is normally capable of speech does not speak in specific situations or to specific people.
Diagnosis is made by symptoms, triggers, and a person's personal and family histories. There are no objective biomarkers or laboratory tests that can diagnose anxiety.Anxiety Disorders: Causes, Types, Prevention, Perception, Discrimination, Treatment, and Epidemiology

Causes:

Anxiety disorders can be caused by genetic, environmental, and psychological factors.
Medical conditions and drugs can also cause or worsen anxiety.

Types:

Anxiety disorders include generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, agoraphobia, specific phobias, and separation anxiety disorder.
Anxiety disorders are often comorbid with other mental and physical health conditions.

Prevention:

Cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness therapy are effective prevention methods for anxiety disorders.
Psychological and educational interventions have a small benefit for the prevention of anxiety.

Perception and Discrimination:

People with anxiety disorders face stigma and negative social perception, which can make them less likely to seek treatment.
There are two prevalent types of stigmas: public and self-stigma.
Stigma can be described in three conceptual ways: cognitive, emotional, and behavioral.

Treatment:

Treatment options include lifestyle changes, therapy, and medications.
Cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness-based programs are effective for managing anxiety disorders.
There is no clear evidence as to whether therapy or medication is most effective.
First-line choices for medications include SSRIs or SNRIs to treat generalized anxiety disorder.

Epidemiology:

Globally, as of 2010, approximately 273 million (4.5% of the population) had an anxiety disorder.
Anxiety disorders are more common in females (5.2%) than males (2.8%).
Between 10 and 20 percent of all children will develop a full-fledged anxiety disorder prior to the age of 18, making anxiety the most common mental health issue in young people.

Description

Test your knowledge on anxiety disorders with this informative quiz! Discover the causes, types, prevention methods, perception, discrimination, treatment options, and epidemiology of anxiety disorders. Learn about the different types of anxiety disorders, their unique symptoms, and triggering events. Challenge yourself to understand how anxiety disorders affect people's lives and how they can be managed. This quiz is perfect for anyone interested in mental health and wellness, or for those who want to learn more about anxiety disorders.