ANXIETY DISORDERS

• Anxiety is an emotion characterized by apprehension and somatic symptoms of tension in which an individual anticipates impending danger, catastrophe, or misfortune (APA Dictionary of Psychology, 2018)
• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a mental health condition characterized by persistent and excessive worry about various aspects of life, even when there is little or no apparent reason for concern (APA Dictionary of Psychology, 2018)
• Approximately 4% of the world's population is currently dealing with an anxiety disorder, with 301 million individuals worldwide experiencing such disorders in 2019 (World Health Organization: WHO, 2023)
• While anxiety and stress are related concepts and share some similarities, they are distinct experiences with differences in their nature, triggers, and manifestations
• This prevalence establishes anxiety disorders as the most widespread among all mental health conditions (World Health Organization: WHO, 2023)
• Diagnostic criteria for Generalized Anxiety Disorder according to the DSM-5

  1. Excessive anxiety and worry occurring more days than not for at least 6 months about a number of events or activities

  2. The individual finds it challenging to control the worry

  3. Anxiety and worry are associated with specific symptoms like restlessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, and sleep disturbance

  4. The anxiety, worry, or physical symptoms cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas
• Common anxiety disorders

  • Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
  • Panic Disorder
  • Social Anxiety Disorder
  • Specific Phobias
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Separation Anxiety Disorder
• Anxiety is an emotion characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts, and physical changes like increased blood pressure
• The anxiety, worry, or physical symptoms cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning
• Biological Factors of GAD

  • Genetics: Moderate Heritability
  • Neurotransmitter Imbalances: Imbalances in Neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, dopamine, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), can contribute to GAD
  • Brain Structure & Functions: Differences in the structure and function of certain brain regions, such as the amygdala and prefrontal cortex, are associated with heightened anxiety response
• According to the DSM-5, the diagnostic criteria for panic disorder include the following:
• Biological Factors of Panic Disorders

  • Genetic Predispositions: family history of anxiety disorders may be at a higher risk, Brain Chemistry: Imbalances in neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and norepinephrine, and GABA affecting regulating mood and stress response, Brain Structure: Abnormalities in areas such as the amygdala and the hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex which plays a role in emotion regulation and processing the fear response
• A panic attack is a sudden onset of intense fear or discomfort that reaches its peak within minutes
• Muscle tension
• Environmental Factors of GAD

  • Stressful Life Events: Major life changes, trauma, or chronic stressors can trigger or exacerbate symptoms of GAD
  • Family Environment: An overly protective or anxious family environment during childhood may contribute to the development of anxiety disorders
• Diagnostic criteria for panic disorder

  At Least One Attack Followed by 1 Month (or more) of One or Both of the Following: Persistent concern or worry about additional panic attacks or their consequences, A significant maladaptive change in behavior related to the attacks (e.g., avoiding situations associated with panic attacks)
• Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD), also known as social phobia, is a mental health condition characterized by an intense and persistent fear of social situations and scrutiny by others
• Irritability
• The disturbance is not attributable to the physiological effects of a substance (e.g., a drug of abuse, a medication) or another medical condition
• Sleep disturbance (difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, or restless, unsatisfying sleep)
• Psychological Factors of GAD

  • Cognitive Factors: Maladaptive thought patterns, such as catastrophic thinking, excessive worry about the future, and a focus on perceived threats, can contribute to the maintenance of GAD
  • Early Life Experiences: Traumatic experiences, stressful life events, or a history of childhood adversity may increase the risk of developing GAD
• Psychological Factors of Panic Disorders

  • Cognitive Factors: Catastrophic thinking and misinterpretation of bodily sensations can contribute to the intensity of panic attacks, Conditioning and Learning: Panic attacks can be acquired through classical conditioning, where neutral stimuli become associated with fear or panic-like symptoms
• Panic disorders is a type of anxiety disorder characterized by recurrent and unexpected panic attacks
• Diagnostic criteria for panic disorder

  Not Due to a Substance or Medical Condition, Not Better Accounted for by Another Mental Disorder (e.g., Panic disorder is not better explained by another mental disorder, such as social anxiety disorder, specific phobia, or obsessive-compulsive disorder)
• Approximately 4.7% of adults in the United States go through episodes of panic disorder at some point in their lives
• Diagnostic criteria for panic disorder

  Recurrent unexpected Panic Attacks during which time four (or more) of the following symptoms occur: Palpitations, pounding heart, or accelerated heart rate, Sweating, Trembling or shaking, Sensations of shortness of breath or smothering, Feelings of choking, Chest pain or discomfort, Nausea or abdominal distress, Feeling dizzy, unsteady, lightheaded, or faint, Chills or heat sensations
• Refer- https://youtu.be/QLjPrNe63kk
• Around 7.1% of the estimated U.S adults were seen to experience social anxiety
• Signs and Symptoms of Social Anxiety Disorder

  • Fear of Judgment
  • Avoidance
  • Performance Anxiety
• Environmental Factors contributing to social anxiety disorder include early life experiences like traumatic events or social rejection, bullying, and social learning through observational learning and social modeling
• Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)


  A mental health condition characterized by an intense and persistent fear of social situations and scrutiny by others
• Specific phobias are a type of anxiety disorder characterized by an intense, irrational fear of a specific object, situation, or activity
• Causal Factors of Social Anxiety Disorder

  • Biological Factors
  • Environmental Factors
  • Social Learning
  • Cognitive Factors
• Social anxiety disorder typically emerges in adolescence or early adulthood, although it can start in childhood as well
• Biological Factors contributing to social anxiety disorder include family history of anxiety disorders, disruptions in the endocrine system, imbalances in the autonomic nervous system, abnormalities in brain structure and function, and imbalances in neurotransmitters
• Individuals with social anxiety disorder


  • Experience significant anxiety and distress in various social or performance situations
• Diagnostic criteria for Social Anxiety Disorder according to DSM-5

  1. Marked fear or anxiety about social situations

  2. Fear of negative evaluation

  3. Social situations provoke fear or anxiety

  4. Anxiety lasting for 6 months or more

  5. Clinically significant distress or impairment

  6. Not attributable to medical conditions or substance abuse

  7. Not better explained by other mental disorders

  8. Not due to physiological effects of substances

  9. Not related to other medical conditions
• Case Analysis - https://youtu.be/ExNs8o8A4fI
• Cognitive Factors contributing to social anxiety disorder include distorted thought patterns like excessive self-focus, catastrophic thinking, and negative self-perceptions
• Studies indicate that the lifetime prevalence of specific phobias ranges from 3% to 15% worldwide