Anxiety Disorders

     As a diagnostic category, anxiety disorders are the most common disorders experienced by adults in the United States. They are also the third most commonly diagnosed set of disorders in children, affecting 7.1% of children between the ages of 3 and 17. While “anxiety” is broadly used to describe the entire diagnostic category, there are actually 7 major types of anxiety disorders. There is often overlap in symptoms of each of the different disorders, and distinguishing between them is important as it informs the treatment process. This post will outline each of the 7 major anxiety disorders listed in the DSM-5. 

Types of Anxiety Disorders

Separation Anxiety Disorder 

     Separation anxiety disorder is characterized by excessive fear or anxiety about being separated from an attachment figure. It is common for children under three to experience separation anxiety. This is different from separation anxiety disorder, where the distress is developmentally inappropriate. Individuals with separation anxiety disorder may experience intense distress before or during separation, refuse to go to school or work so as not to be separated from their attachment figure, or be afraid of going to sleep without the attachment figure nearby. It is more common in children than adults. 

Selective Mutism 

     Selective mutism is the least prevalent anxiety disorder, and is typically seen in children. With selective mutism, children consistently fail to speak in situations where there’s a reasonable expectation that they would. Those with selective mutism disorder often exhibit other traits such as excessive shyness, social isolation, and fear of social embarrassment. A diagnosis of selective mutism is often accompanied by a second diagnosis of social anxiety disorder. 

Specific Phobia 

     Specific phobias are marked by intense fear or anxiety around a specific object or situation that is disproportionate to the actual risk. The most common specific phobias are flying, heights, animals, blood, and receiving an injection. The fear often develops after a traumatic experience with the feared object or situation, such as an intense fear of dogs following a dog bite. However, it is not always possible to identify the incident that triggered the development of a specific phobia. It is estimated that 7%-9% of the Americans experience a specific phobia every year. 

Social Anxiety Disorder 

     Social anxiety disorder is the most prevalent anxiety disorder after specific phobias, affecting approximately 6.8% of American adults. It is characterized by fear or anxiety about social situations such as interaction with, being observed by, or performing in front of others. The fear of behaving in a way that will cause others to view them negatively or that will show their anxiety causes many people with social anxiety disorder to actively avoid social situations. As much as 36% of people with social anxiety disorder suffer from symptoms for 10 years before seeking help. 

Panic Disorder 

     Panic disorder is characterized by recurrent, unexpected panic attacks and an accompanying fear of experiencing them or drastic changes in behavior to try to avoid them. Many people will experience a panic attack at some point in their life in response to a specific triggering situation. A person with panic disorder is distinguished from a person who experiences panic attacks by the fact that they experience panic attacks without a trigger.

Agoraphobia 

     Agoraphobia is marked by intense fear or anxiety of using public transportation, being in open spaces, being in enclosed spaces, standing in line or in a crowd, or being outside of the home alone. Those with agoraphobia may actively avoid any of the previously listed situations, or only be able to manage them with a trusted companion. In severe cases, people with agoraphobia are unable to leave their house. 

Generalized Anxiety Disorder 

     Generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by excessive anxiety or worry about a number of events, activities, or situations. Those with generalized anxiety disorder find it difficult or impossible to control the worry, and experience significant distress or impairment because of it. Approximately 3.1% of American adults are affected, though less than half receive treatment. 

Is Diagnosis Necessary for Treatment?

Determining which diagnosis is appropriate can be difficult. If you think that you may have an anxiety disorder, it’s very important to talk to a mental health professional. Mental health professionals such as therapists and psychologists are trained to assess and diagnose mental health disorders. Distinguishing between the anxiety disorders, as well as the depressive and trauma disorders which often have similar presentations, is a key part in accessing the right treatment. Because the different anxiety disorders often warrant a different treatment approach, getting an accurate diagnosis as soon as possible prevents valuable time, energy, and money from being wasted on treatment that isn’t as effective as it could be. 

     It’s important to note that many people feel anxious at some point, or consistently experience anxiety around certain situations. For example, meeting new people on your first day at a new job might provoke anxiety, even intense anxiety. But not all anxiety meets the criteria for the diagnosis of an anxiety disorder. However, the absence of a diagnosis does not mean that symptoms aren’t distressing or that treatment can’t help. People who experience anxiety can benefit enormously from treatment. Treatment, particularly psychotherapy, can help prevent low-grade anxiety from becoming more severe. Far too many people suffer with anxiety for far too long before getting help. If you feel anxious, or wonder if one of the above diagnoses fits your symptoms, reach out to a mental health professional. It’s never too early to seek help for anxiety. 

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If you are struggling with anxiety and are interested in how I can help you, reach out.