Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety Disorders

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

• Excessive and persistent worry about everyday things, even when there is no apparent reason to worry
• Restlessness, feeling on edge, fatigue, concentration problems, and sleep disturbances
• Symptoms must last for at least 6 months to meet diagnostic criteria
• Often co-occurs with other anxiety disorders, depression, and substance abuse

Specific Phobias

• Irrational fear of a specific object, situation, or activity
• Exposure to the feared object/situation triggers an immediate anxiety response
• Avoidance of the feared object/situation is common
• Examples: fear of spiders, heights, enclosed spaces, flying, etc.

Panic Disorder

• Recurring panic attacks, which are sudden feelings of intense fear or discomfort
• Panic attacks reach a peak within minutes and include physical symptoms such as:
  • Racing heartbeat
  • Sweating
  • Trembling
  • Shortness of breath
  • Feeling of choking
  • Nausea or abdominal discomfort
• Fear of having another panic attack or avoiding situations where a panic attack may occur

Social Anxiety Disorder

• Fear of being judged, evaluated, or rejected in social situations
• Fear of being the center of attention
• Fear of acting in a way that will be embarrassing or humiliating
• Avoidance of social situations or enduring them with significant distress
• Fear of specific social situations, such as public speaking, meeting new people, or dating

Anxiety Treatment Approaches

• Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT):
  • Identify and challenge negative thought patterns
  • Learn relaxation techniques and coping skills
  • Gradual exposure to feared situations
• Medications:
  • Benzodiazepines (e.g., alprazolam) for short-term relief
  • Antidepressants (e.g., SSRIs) for longer-term management
  • Beta blockers for specific anxiety symptoms (e.g., performance anxiety)
• Lifestyle Changes:
  • Regular exercise and relaxation techniques (e.g., yoga, meditation)
  • Healthy sleep habits and nutrition
  • Social support and stress management

Anxiety Disorders

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

• Characterized by excessive and persistent worry about everyday things, even when there is no apparent reason to worry
• Symptoms include restlessness, feeling on edge, fatigue, concentration problems, and sleep disturbances
• Must last for at least 6 months to meet diagnostic criteria
• Often co-occurs with other anxiety disorders, depression, and substance abuse

Specific Phobias

• Defined by an irrational fear of a specific object, situation, or activity
• Exposure to the feared object/situation triggers an immediate anxiety response
• Avoidance of the feared object/situation is common
• Examples: fear of spiders, heights, enclosed spaces, flying, etc.

Panic Disorder

• Recurring panic attacks, which are sudden feelings of intense fear or discomfort
• Panic attacks reach a peak within minutes and include physical symptoms such as:
  • Racing heartbeat
  • Sweating
  • Trembling
  • Shortness of breath
  • Feeling of choking
  • Nausea or abdominal discomfort
• Fear of having another panic attack or avoiding situations where a panic attack may occur

Social Anxiety Disorder

• Characterized by fear of being judged, evaluated, or rejected in social situations
• Fear of being the center of attention
• Fear of acting in a way that will be embarrassing or humiliating
• Avoidance of social situations or enduring them with significant distress
• Fear of specific social situations, such as public speaking, meeting new people, or dating

Anxiety Treatment Approaches

• Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT):
  • Identify and challenge negative thought patterns
  • Learn relaxation techniques and coping skills
  • Gradual exposure to feared situations
• Medications:
  • Benzodiazepines (e.g., alprazolam) for short-term relief
  • Antidepressants (e.g., SSRIs) for longer-term management
  • Beta blockers for specific anxiety symptoms (e.g., performance anxiety)
• Lifestyle Changes:
  • Regular exercise and relaxation techniques (e.g., yoga, meditation)
  • Healthy sleep habits and nutrition
  • Social support and stress management

Learn about Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Specific Phobias, including symptoms, diagnostic criteria, and comorbidities.