5.4a - Anxiety Disorders, Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders, and Trauma-and-Stressor Related Disorders

Anxiety Disorders

characterized by excessive fear and anxiety that lead to significant disturbances in behavior

Social Anxiety Disorder

significant and persistent fear of social situations where embarrassment or scrutiny may occur, leading to avoidance behaviors and severe anxiety about performing or interacting in certain social contexts

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

persistent and excessive worry about various aspects of daily life, accompanied by physical symptoms such as restlessness, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating, which are not tied to any specific cause or event

Panic Disorder

recurrent and unexpected panic attacks accompanied by physical symptoms like heart palpitations, and ongoing concern about having additional attacks or their consequences

Panic Attack

sudden episodes of intense fear or discomfort that peak within minutes

Agoraphobia

psychological disorder characterized by an intense fear of being in situations where escape might be difficult or help unavailable, often leading to avoidance of places like public spaces or crowds, significantly impacting daily activities

Specific Phobias

a psychological disorder characterized by an intense and irrational fear of a specific object or situation, leading to significant distress and avoidance behavior that disrupts daily functioning

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

recurrent, unwanted thoughts (obsession) and repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions) that an individual feels drive to perform in response to an obsession, typically aimed at reducing anxiety but causing significant distress and interference in daily functioning

Hoarding Disorder

persistent difficulty discarding or parting with possessions, regardless of their actual value, due to a perceived need to save them, resulting in excessive accumulation that compromises the use of living area and significantly impairs daily functioning

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

persistent mental and emotional stress following exposure to a traumatic event, featuring symptoms such as intrusive memories (flashbacks), avoidance of reminders of the trauma, heightened reactivity, and emotional numbness

Trauma-and-Stressor Related Disorders

Involve psychological distress following exposure to a traumatic or stressful event, characterized by symptoms such as hypervigilance, sever anxiety, flashbacks, insomnia, emotional detachment, and hostility, which impair daily functioning

Ataque de nervios “Attack of the Nerves”

episodes of intense emotional distress, dramatic expressions of emotion, such as screaming or crying, and sometimes uncontrollable physical symptoms like shaking or feeling as if one if suffocating. Commonly observed among individuals from Caribbean and Iberian backgrounds

Taijin Kyofusho “TKS”

predominately observed in Japan, characterized by an intense fear of offending or embarrassing others through one’s bodily functions or appearance, leading to significant social anxiety and avoidance behaviors

Common Obsessions

fear of contamination, fear of harming oneself or others, need for symmetry or exactness, intrusive sexual or violent thoughts, excessive concern with religious or moral correctness, fear of losing important thoughts

Common Compulsions

excessive washing and cleaning, repeatedly checking locks, appliances, etc., arranging items to face a certain way or ordering them precisely, repeating words silently, compulsive praying or repeating rituals, collecting or hoarding items unnecessarily