Comprehensive Overview of Anxiety and OCD Disorders: Definitions, Symptoms, Risk Factors, and Treatments

Generalized Anxiety Disorder Definition

Excessive, difficult-to-control worry about multiple areas of life, occurring more days than not and causing distress/impairment.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder Core Symptoms

Chronic worry, restlessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, sleep disturbance.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder Onset

Often adolescence or early adulthood; can begin in childhood; typically gradual.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder Incidence/Prevalence

Common anxiety disorder; roughly 2-3% past-year prevalence in adults.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder Common Comorbidities

Major depression, other anxiety disorders, substance use, insomnia.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder Biological Risk Factors

Family history of anxiety, genetic vulnerability, heightened autonomic arousal, neurotransmitter differences.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder Psychological Risk Factors

Intolerance of uncertainty, worry as coping, perfectionism, threat overestimation.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder Environmental/Social Risk Factors

Chronic stress, family modeling of anxiety, trauma, academic/work pressure, low support.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder Therapy Treatments

CBT, worry exposure, cognitive restructuring, relaxation training, mindfulness-based therapy.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder Medication Treatments

SSRIs/SNRIs first-line; buspirone or short-term benzodiazepines in select cases.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder Other Treatments

Sleep hygiene, exercise, stress management, reducing caffeine, support systems.

Panic Disorder Definition

Recurrent unexpected panic attacks plus persistent worry about more attacks or behavior change to avoid them.

Panic Disorder Core Symptoms

Sudden intense fear with palpitations, sweating, shaking, shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, fear of dying/losing control.

Panic Disorder Onset

Often late adolescence to mid-30s.

Panic Disorder Incidence/Prevalence

About 2-3% of adults in a given year.

Panic Disorder Common Comorbidities

Agoraphobia, GAD, depression, substance use.

Panic Disorder Biological Risk Factors

Family history, anxiety sensitivity, overactive fight-or-flight response, respiratory sensitivity.

Panic Disorder Psychological Risk Factors

Catastrophic misinterpretation of body sensations, fear of fear, avoidance learning.

Panic Disorder Environmental/Social Risk Factors

High stress, trauma, major life changes, lack of support.

Panic Disorder Therapy Treatments

CBT with interoceptive exposure, breathing retraining, cognitive restructuring.

Panic Disorder Medication Treatments

SSRIs/SNRIs; benzodiazepines short-term only when appropriate.

Panic Disorder Other Treatments

Psychoeducation, reduce stimulants, regular sleep/exercise.

Agoraphobia Definition

Fear/anxiety about places where escape may be difficult or help unavailable if panic-like symptoms occur.

Agoraphobia Core Symptoms

Avoids public transportation, open spaces, enclosed spaces, crowds/lines, or being outside alone.

Agoraphobia Onset

Often late adolescence or early adulthood; may develop after panic attacks.

Agoraphobia Incidence/Prevalence

About 1-2% of adults.

Agoraphobia Common Comorbidities

Panic disorder, depression, other anxiety disorders.

Agoraphobia Biological Risk Factors

Genetic anxiety risk, high arousal sensitivity.

Agoraphobia Psychological Risk Factors

Fear of panic sensations, avoidance reinforcement, catastrophic thinking.

Agoraphobia Environmental/Social Risk Factors

Stressful events, overprotective family patterns, limited support.

Agoraphobia Therapy Treatments

CBT with gradual in-vivo exposure.

Agoraphobia Medication Treatments

SSRIs/SNRIs; anti-anxiety meds sometimes used.

Agoraphobia Other Treatments

Supported outings, safety-behavior reduction, relaxation skills.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Definition

Trauma-related disorder after exposure to actual/threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence with intrusion, avoidance, negative mood/cognition, and arousal symptoms.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Core Symptoms

Flashbacks/nightmares, avoidance, guilt/negative beliefs, hypervigilance, exaggerated startle, sleep problems.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Onset

Can begin soon after trauma or have delayed expression months later.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Incidence/Prevalence

Lifetime prevalence around 6-8% in U.S. adults; varies by trauma exposure.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Common Comorbidities

Depression, anxiety, substance use, suicidal behavior, chronic pain.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Biological Risk Factors

Genetic vulnerability, HPA-axis/stress-response changes, amygdala/hippocampus involvement.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Psychological Risk Factors

Prior trauma, dissociation, maladaptive trauma beliefs, poor emotion regulation.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Environmental/Social Risk Factors

Severe/repeated trauma, low social support, ongoing danger, childhood abuse.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Therapy Treatments

Trauma-focused CBT, prolonged exposure, cognitive processing therapy, EMDR.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Medication Treatments

SSRIs/SNRIs; prazosin sometimes used for nightmares.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Other Treatments

Safety planning, peer support, grounding, sleep interventions.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Definition

Disorder involving obsessions and/or compulsions that are time-consuming, distressing, or impairing.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Core Symptoms

Intrusive unwanted thoughts/urges/images; rituals like checking, washing, counting, ordering, reassurance seeking.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Onset

Often childhood/adolescence or early adulthood.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Incidence/Prevalence

About 1-2% lifetime prevalence.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Common Comorbidities

Anxiety disorders, depression, tic disorders, body dysmorphic disorder.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Biological Risk Factors

Family history, cortico-striatal circuit differences, serotonin/glutamate involvement.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Psychological Risk Factors

Inflated responsibility, intolerance of uncertainty, perfectionism, thought-action fusion.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Environmental/Social Risk Factors

Stress, family accommodation, trauma; rare pediatric autoimmune triggers.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Therapy Treatments

Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), CBT.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Medication Treatments

SSRIs at OCD doses; clomipramine; augmentation in severe cases.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Other Treatments

Family education, habit reduction, severe cases: TMS/DBS.

Somatic Symptom Disorder Definition

Excessive thoughts, feelings, and behaviors about physical symptoms causing distress/impairment.

Somatic Symptom Disorder Core Symptoms

Physical symptoms plus health anxiety, symptom checking, frequent medical visits, disruption of daily life.

Somatic Symptom Disorder Onset

Often early adulthood; can occur at any age.

Somatic Symptom Disorder Incidence/Prevalence

Common in medical settings; more common in females.

Somatic Symptom Disorder Common Comorbidities

Anxiety disorders, depression, personality disorders.

Somatic Symptom Disorder Biological Risk Factors

Pain sensitivity, family anxiety history, heightened body-sensation awareness.

Somatic Symptom Disorder Psychological Risk Factors

Catastrophizing, health anxiety, poor coping, attention to bodily sensations.

Somatic Symptom Disorder Environmental/Social Risk Factors

Trauma, chronic stress, illness-focused family environment, reinforcement of sick role.

Somatic Symptom Disorder Therapy Treatments

CBT focused on symptom interpretation and functioning.

Somatic Symptom Disorder Medication Treatments

SSRIs/SNRIs if anxiety or depression is present.

Somatic Symptom Disorder Other Treatments

Consistent primary-care provider, scheduled visits, stress reduction.

Illness Anxiety Disorder Definition

Preoccupation with having/acquiring a serious illness despite minimal or no somatic symptoms.

Illness Anxiety Disorder Core Symptoms

Health fears, body checking, reassurance seeking or avoidance of doctors, persistent anxiety after negative tests.

Illness Anxiety Disorder Onset

Often early adulthood.

Illness Anxiety Disorder Incidence/Prevalence

Relatively uncommon; roughly 1-2%.

Illness Anxiety Disorder Common Comorbidities

OCD, anxiety disorders, depression.

Illness Anxiety Disorder Biological Risk Factors

Family history of anxiety/health anxiety, high physiological sensitivity.

Illness Anxiety Disorder Psychological Risk Factors

Misinterpreting normal sensations, intolerance of uncertainty, catastrophic thinking.

Illness Anxiety Disorder Environmental/Social Risk Factors

Family illness history, trauma, stressful life events, exposure to illness.

Illness Anxiety Disorder Therapy Treatments

CBT targeting reassurance seeking, checking, and catastrophic beliefs.

Illness Anxiety Disorder Medication Treatments

SSRIs when anxiety/depression symptoms are significant.

Illness Anxiety Disorder Other Treatments

Psychoeducation, limited reassurance cycles, stress management.

Psychological Factors Impacting Medical Conditions Definition

Psychological or behavioral factors worsen a real medical condition, interfere with treatment, or increase health risk.

Psychological Factors Impacting Medical Conditions Core Symptoms

Stress worsens symptoms, nonadherence, risky health behaviors, emotional distress affecting recovery.

Psychological Factors Impacting Medical Conditions Onset

Any age, usually alongside a medical condition.

Psychological Factors Impacting Medical Conditions Incidence/Prevalence

Common among chronic illness patients.

Psychological Factors Impacting Medical Conditions Common Comorbidities

Anxiety, depression, substance use, chronic pain.

Psychological Factors Impacting Medical Conditions Biological Risk Factors

Chronic disease, stress-response activation, immune/endocrine changes.

Psychological Factors Impacting Medical Conditions Psychological Risk Factors

Poor coping, denial, high stress, low self-efficacy.

Psychological Factors Impacting Medical Conditions Environmental/Social Risk Factors

Low support, financial stress, family conflict, limited healthcare access.

Psychological Factors Impacting Medical Conditions Therapy Treatments

CBT, behavioral medicine, motivational interviewing.

Psychological Factors Impacting Medical Conditions Medication Treatments

Treat comorbid anxiety/depression when needed.

Psychological Factors Impacting Medical Conditions Other Treatments

Collaborative care, adherence plans, stress management, support groups.

Conversion Disorder Definition

Functional neurological symptoms incompatible with recognized neurological/medical disease.

Conversion Disorder Core Symptoms

Weakness/paralysis, tremor, gait problems, numbness, blindness, speech problems, psychogenic non-epileptic seizures.

Conversion Disorder Onset

Often adolescence/early adulthood; may follow stress or trauma.

Conversion Disorder Incidence/Prevalence

Uncommon but frequent in neurology settings; more common in females.

Conversion Disorder Common Comorbidities

PTSD, anxiety, depression, somatic symptom disorder.

Conversion Disorder Biological Risk Factors

Brain network differences in attention, motor control, emotion processing.

Conversion Disorder Psychological Risk Factors

Trauma, dissociation, emotion regulation difficulties, internal conflict.

Conversion Disorder Environmental/Social Risk Factors

Abuse, family dysfunction, acute stressors, illness modeling.

Conversion Disorder Therapy Treatments

CBT, trauma-focused therapy, psychoeducation.

Conversion Disorder Medication Treatments

No specific medication; treat comorbid anxiety/depression.

Conversion Disorder Other Treatments

Physical/occupational therapy, coordinated neurology-mental health care.

Factitious Disorder Definition

Intentional falsification or induction of symptoms without obvious external reward, driven by assuming the sick role.