types and symptoms of anxiety

what is anxiety

complex combination of negative emotions and physical sensations

examples of negative emotions commonly occuring in anxiety

• fear

• apprehension

• worry

examples of physical sensations commonly occuring in anxiety

• palpitations

• nausea

• chest pain

• shortness of breath

• dizziness

• insomnia

how does abnormal anxiety differ from normal anxiety

abnormal anxiety is persistent, excessive, and interferes with daily functioning, often without a clear or proportional threat

what are the main types of anxiety

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

• Panic Disorder

• Phobias (specific & social)

• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD – historically classified as anxiety)

what is GAD

common, chronic, long-lasting disorder characterised by unspecific or free-floating anxiety

what does free floating anxiety mean in GAD

when the individual is unable to identify or articulate a specific cause for their anxiety

what causes physical symptoms in GAD

persistent muscle tension and autonomic fear reactions

name some symptoms of GAD

• Headaches

• Heart palpitations

• Dizziness

• Insomnia

what is a panic disorder

characterized by brief attacks of intense terror and apprehension

what symptoms occur during a panic attack

• trembling and shaking

• dizziness

• difficulty breathing

how do individuals feel between panic attacks

they experience intense anxiety between episodes

what can trigger panic attacks

• Frightening experiences

• Prolonged stress

• Physical exercise

why are panic attacks often mistaken for heart attacks

due to chest discomfort, palpitations, breathlessness, and dizziness which are similar symptoms of heart attacks too

what is OCD

characterised by obsessions or compulsions

what are obsessions

distressing, repetitive thoughts or images that a person recognises as senseless

what are compulsions

repetitive behaviour performed to reduce anxiety caused by obsessions

examples of compulsions

• extreme cleanliness

• constant checking and rechecking of doors

how is OCD classified in DSM-5

OCD is now classified under ‘Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders’, not anxiety disorders, although anxiety remains a core feature

what are the 4 main OCD categories

• checking

• contamination/mental contamination

• hoarding

• ruminations and intrusive thoughs

what is checking driven by (hint: fear of what?)

fear of damage, fire, leaks, unlocked doors, or harm

what is contamination driven by

Fear that contamination will cause illness or death to oneself or loved ones

what are ruminations in OCD

persistent intrusive obsessional thoughts, often misunderstood (e.g. body shape thoughts in eating disorders)

what is a phobia

strong, irrational fear and avoidance of specific object or situation

how do phobias differ from GAD and panic disorders

phobias are triggered by a specific stimulus, unlike the generalized or unpredictable anxiety seen in GAD or panic disorder

how do people with phobias perceive their fear

usually recognise the fear is excessive and unreasonable but cannot control it

what is a specific phobia

intense fear of something that poses little or no actual danger

examples of common specific phobias

• height

• enclosed spaces

• blood

• flying

• dogs

• water

what happens when someone with specific phobia faces feared object

may experience panic attack or severe anxiety, even thinking about it can trigger symptoms

what is social phobia known as

social anxiety disorder

what charactises social phobia

overwhelming anxiety and excessive self-consciousness in social situations

what is the main fear in social phobia

fear of being watched, judged, embarrassed or humiliated

how does social phobia affect daily life

can interfere with work, school and ordinary activities

how far in advanced do individuals with social phobia worry

days or weeks before a feared social situation

what does DSM stand for

diagnosis and statistical manual of mental disorders

what is DSM used for

classifies mental health disorders

how were anxiety disorders classified in DSM-II

grouped together as “anxiety neurosis”, without subdivisions

what change occured in DSM-III

formal distinction between GAD and other anxiety disorders

how does DSM-IV define GAD?

excessive anxiety and worry on most days for 6 months or more

how many symptoms are required for GAD diagnosis (DSM-IV)

at least 3 symptoms or 1 in children

what is a the prevalence of GAD

• 1-year prevalence: 3%

• Lifetime prevalence: 5%

what role does family history play in anxiety disorders

family history increases likelihood of developing anxiety disorder

difference between panic disorders and GAD

name the common types of eating disorders

• bulimia nervosa

• anorexia nervosa

• binge eating disorder

what is bulimia nervosa

binge eating and purging (self-inducing vomiting, over-exercising, usage of diuretics and laxatives)

what is anorexia nervosa

extreme food restriction to the point of starvation and excessive weight loss

what is binge eating disorder

without subsequent purging episodes