|
The Main Types of Anxiety Disorders
|
||||
|
Two common symptoms in anxiety-related problems are panic attacks and agoraphobia. These two symptoms can be described as follows: A panic attack is an episode of intense fear or discomfort in which four or more of the following symptoms develop quickly and reach a peak, usually within ten minutes or less.
When a panic attack occurs “out of the blue” it is called an unexpected or uncued panic attack. When a panic attack occurs in response to a specific situation, such as a large social gathering, or a specific cue, such as a bridge, it is called a situationally bound or cued panic attack. When a panic attack is likely to occur in response to a specific situation or cue but does not always occur in this situation, it is called a situationally predisposed panic attack. An example of someone with this would be a person who often has panic attacks while driving but sometimes drives the same route without experiencing a panic attack.
|
||||
|
The key feature of agoraphobia is fear of being in places or situations from which escape might be difficult or embarrassing, or in which help may not be available in the event that a panic attack or severe anxiety occurs. This fear causes the person to avoid these types of situations, to endure them with marked anxiety, or to require the presence of a companion.
|
||||
|
The Different Types of Anxiety Disorders At this time, the main classification system that researchers and psychotherapists in the United States use for mental health-related problems is the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) which was released in 1994. Below are the categories of anxiety disorders it lists. Panic Disorder without Agoraphobia In this condition a person has experienced unexpected panic attacks that have been followed by worry about having additional attacks and by the imagined dangers that such attacks might (“I might lose control,” “I might go crazy,” “I might have a heart attack,” or “I might embarrass myself”). However, there is no agoraphobia present. Panic Disorder with Agoraphobia This condition is simply an extension of the previous one. In addition to having unexpected panic attacks and worry about symptoms, a person also has agoraphobia. Agoraphobia without a History of Panic Disorder Since over 95 percent of individuals who have agoraphobia also experience current panic attacks or have a history of panic attacks agoraphobia without a history of panic disorder is fairly uncommon. One study found that the majority of the people diagnosed with this condition actually were found to have a specific phobia rather than agoraphobia when they were reevaluated. Specific Phobia A Specific Phobia is characterized by significant anxiety that is excessive or unreasonable and that is triggered by a specific situation or thing. In children, this anxiety can be expressed by crying, tantrums, freezing, or clinging. Adults with this condition usually recognize the excessive or unreasonable aspect of the anxiety. Within this diagnosis there are five subtypes:
Social Phobia Social phobia is characterized by significant anxiety triggered by specific social or performance situations such as a social gathering, athletic or musical performance, or the delivery of an oral report in school or at a business meeting. These types of situations are either endured with high levels of anxiety or avoided. People wit social phobia are usually concerned that they might embarrass themselves or that others will think poorly of them. For some people, just thinking about feared situations can produce severe anxiety and even panic attacks. People with this type of phobia usually recognize that their fear is excessive or unreasonable. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Obsessive-compulsive disorder, or OCD, is characterized by obsessions and compulsions that are severe enough to be time consuming (they take more than one hour a day) or cause marked distress or interference with a person’s ability to function. An obsession is a persistent idea, thought, image, or impulse that is senseless or repulsive and intrudes on a person’s consciousness. Common obsessions involve thoughts of harming others, violating social norms by doing things such as swearing or exhibiting unacceptable sexual behavior, producing contamination or infection in oneself and others, and doubt about whether some action has been performed. A compulsion is an action repeated in a ritualistic fashion. The action may be done with the intent to produce or prevent some future event or situation, even though the compulsion has no realistic bearing on the event or situation it is meant to affect. Compulsions can also be normal, rational activities performed in a clearly excessive manner. Compulsions are usually done in response to an obsession. For example, a person fearing contamination (the obsession) might engage in ritualistic or excessive hand washing. The most common compulsions are hand washing, counting, checking, and touching. Mild obsessions and compulsions are common and are considered a problem only when they interfere with normal activities, cause mental or emotional distress, or cannot be controlled by the person suffering from them. Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Posttraumatic stress disorder develops when a person has experienced, witnessed, or been confronted with an event or events that involved actual or threatened death or serious injury. This person re-experiences the event through distressing recollections, dreams, flashbacks, or heightened anxiety when exposed to situations or objects that resemble or symbolize the traumatic event. This person also tends to avoid things associated with the trauma and to experience a numbing, such as an inability to recall an important aspect of the trauma, diminished interest or participation in significant activities, and detachment or estrangement from others. Additional symptoms can include difficulty falling or staying asleep, irritability, difficulty concentrating, hypervigilance, and an exaggerated startle response. Acute Stress Disorder This is simply a term used for a short form of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Acute stress disorder is diagnosed when the symptoms described in the previous section on PTSD occur within one month of a trauma and last at least two days but no longer than four weeks. If the symptoms last more than four weeks, the condition is then called posttraumatic stress disorder. Generalized Anxiety Disorder Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a condition characterized by persistent and excessive anxiety and worry that lasts for at least six months. This worry is far out of proportion to the actual likelihood or impact of the feared event and tends to interfere with the person’s ability to function. Although a person with this condition experiences symptoms characteristic of high anxiety, no panic attacks occur. Worries can include everyday, routine life concerns such as job responsibilities, finances, the health of family members, or the safety of children. They can also include minor matters such as household chores, car repairs, or being late for appointments. Anxiety Disorder Due to a General Medical Condition This condition is characterized by anxiety resulting directly from a medical condition. Among the wide range of medical conditions that can cause anxiety symptoms are endocrine conditions (hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, pheochromocytoma, hypoglycemia, hyperadrenocorticism), cardiovascular conditions (congestive heart failure, pulmonary embolism, arrhythmia), respiratory conditions (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pneumonia), metabolic conditions (vitamin B12 deficiency or porphyria), and neurological conditions (neoplasms, vestibular dysfunction, encephalitis). In order to make this diagnosis, there must be evidence from the history, physical examination, or laboratory findings that there exists a general medical condition that can cause the symptoms. Sometimes this condition is characterized by anxiety or worry about a number of events or activities. Other times panic attacks, obsessions, or compulsions are present. Substance-Induced Anxiety Disorder This condition is characterized by anxiety, panic attacks, obsessions, or compulsions that are the direct result of a drug abuse, a medication, or a toxin. Anxiety Disorder Not Otherwise Specified This category is used for conditions where there is excessive anxiety or phobic avoidance but the overall picture does not fit any of the above categories. This category is most often a preliminary diagnosis given when there is inadequate or contradictory information. As more information is gathered, it is usually changed to one of the above diagnoses.
(Excerpted
from the books Anxiety,
Phobias & Panic and |
||||
|
E-mail comments to: lrsc@rpeurifoy.com Disclaimer: This site contains general reference information and is not intended as a substitute for consulting with a physician or a psychotherapist. Copyright © 1999 by Reneau Peurifoy, MA — All Rights Reserved |