Anxiety disorder definition

Anxiety is both a mental and physical state of negative expectation. Mentally it is characterized by increased arousal and apprehension tortured into distressing worry, and physically by unpleasant activation of multiple body systems—all to facilitate response to an unknown danger, whether real or imagined. The cognitive feelings of dread in anticipation of some bad outcome, and physical sensations such as jitteriness and a racing heart are designed for discomfort. Anxiety is meant to capture When anxiety becomes a disorder But persistent, pervasive, or outsize anxiety can disrupt daily life, whether at school, work, or with friends—the mark of an anxiety disorder. Nearly Anxiety is often accompanied by It is neither possible nor desirable to eliminate anxiety entirely, as it plays a crucial role in keeping us alert and alive. Treatment is geared to keeping anxiety at manageable levels. Anxiety can be treated successfully using For more on causes, symptoms, and treatments of anxiety disorders, see our Anxiety is now the leading mental health problem around the world, and the incidence of anxiety is still rising, especially among youth. Increasing numbers of children and adolescents are being diagnosed with the disorder. One often-cited reason for the general rise in anxiety is the burden of uncertainty in almost every domain of modern life, in response to an array of economic and cultural shifts. Uncertainty doesn’t cause anxiety, but it provides breeding grounds for it. T...

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and anxiety can both cause people to feel restless and unable to concentrate. Individuals may have one or both of these conditions. ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that can cause attention difficulties, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. Anxiety is a natural emotion, but it can become problematic if people experience frequent or constant anxiety. Anxiety may interfere with everyday life and affect a person’s ability to focus and carry out tasks. Symptoms of ADHD and anxiety can overlap, which can make it difficult to tell the difference between each condition. It is also possible for people to have both ADHD and anxiety. This article explains how to tell ADHD and anxiety apart, the diagnosis and treatment for each, and when to contact a doctor. ADHD Anxiety may cause difficulty concentrating even when the mind is calm may cause difficulty concentrating in situations that trigger anxiety anxiety may typically arise in relation to problems caused by ADHD symptoms can cause a constant state of worry or anxiety symptoms can include forgetfulness, a short attention span, impulsivity, and an inability to sit still symptoms can include feelings of dread or danger, sweating, trembling, and a rapid heartbeat People who have both ADHD and anxiety may experience persistent anxiety in many areas and have difficulty concentrating in multiple situations. Symptoms of anxiety may depend on the type of anxiety disorder individuals have. Pe...

Anxiety disorders are common mental health disorders — the criteria for anxiety disorders have changed from the DSM-4 to the DSM-5. Anxiety disorders are one of the most common psychiatric disorders worldwide. Phobias are categorized as anxiety disorders, with specific phobia (fear of something that poses little or no actual danger) being the most common anxiety disorder. If you experience anxiety, it can be overwhelming and exhausting. Of the 11 anxiety disorders in the DSM-5, approximately Separation anxiety disorder People with separation anxiety disorder may also be prone to nightmares or have excessive anxiety about unwelcome events happening to their attachment figure. Separation anxiety was a new addition to the DSM-5 categorization of anxiety disorders. It was previously listed under conditions that occur in childhood. The change was due to Selective mutism Selective mutism is generally seen in children. The disorder refers to the inability to speak in specific social situations. Selective mutism can last into adulthood if a child does not receive treatment. Selective mutism is different than a communication disorder. Selective mutism typically first appears at a crucial moment in a child’s life, such as beginning preschool. For a diagnosis of selective mutism, it must be present for at least 1 month. Selective mutism was an addition to the DSM-5. It was previously listed under disorders that occur in childhood. Specific phobia Specific phobia is when a person expe...

Verywell Mind content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. We rely on the most current and reputable sources, which are cited in the text and listed at the bottom of each article. Content is fact checked after it has been edited and before publication. Behavioral therapy suggests that since old learning led to the development of a problem, then new learning can fix it. Types of Behavioral Therapy There are a number of different types of behavioral therapy. The type of therapy used can depend on a variety of factors, including the condition being treated and the severity of the person's symptoms. • Applied behavior analysis uses operant conditioning to shape and modify problematic behaviors. • Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) relies on behavioral techniques, but the difference is that CBT adds a cognitive element, focusing on the problematic thoughts behind behaviors. • Cognitive behavioral play therapy utilizes play to assess, prevent, or treat psychosocial challenges. The therapist may use play to help a child learn how to think and behave differently. • Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) is a form of CBT that utilizes both behavioral and cognitive techniques to help people learn to manage their emotions, cope with distress, and improve interpersonal relationships. • Exposure therapy utilizes behavioral techniques to help people overcome their fears o...

A phobia is a type of anxiety disorder that causes an individual to experience extreme, irrational fear about a situation, living creature, place, or object. When a person has a phobia, they will often shape their lives to avoid what they consider to be dangerous. The imagined threat is greater than any actual threat posed by the cause of terror. Phobias are diagnosable mental disorders. The person will experience intense distress when faced with the source of their phobia. This can prevent them from functioning normally and sometimes leads to In the United States, approximately Share on Pinterest Image credit: PeopleImages / istock A phobia is an exaggerated and irrational fear. The term ‘phobia’ is often used to refer to a fear of one particular trigger. However, there are three types of phobia recognized by the American Psychiatric Association (APA). These include: Specific phobia: This is an intense, irrational fear of a specific trigger. Social phobia, or Agoraphobia: This is a fear of situations from which it would be difficult to escape if a person were to experience extreme panic, such being in a lift or being outside of the home. It is commonly misunderstood as a fear of open spaces but could also apply to being confined in a small space, such as an elevator, or being on public transport. People with Specific phobias are known as simple phobias as they can be linked to an identifiable cause that may not frequently occur in the everyday life of an individual, such ...