Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is characterized by a persistent and relatively continuous state of excessive, uncontrollable, and often pointless worry and apprehension. Individuals with this disorder typically worry about routine, everyday matters, such as health, finances, or the safety of family members, without any justified reason. For a diagnosis, this diffuse worrying must occur more days than not for a period of at least six months, not be attributable to another disorder, and be accompanied by at least three of the following symptoms: restlessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, and sleep difficulties.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

This disorder is hallmarked by the experience of multiple, unexpected panic attacks. These attacks are often associated with intense fear that occurs quickly. Generally, this diagnosis is applied if you have had four or more panic attacks, and fear their reocurrence. Having one panic attack, is not a panic disorder. Worry over panic attacks and avoidance of situations, places, etc. that are associated with panic attacks can lead to further problems. 

Recurrent panic attacks may show temporal lobe abnormalities. Those who suffer from panic disorder typically have lower temporal lobe volumes. These attacks can occur unexpectedly or by a trigger. 



Panic Disorder

A specific phobia, formerly known as a simple phobia, is an anxiety disorder characterized by excessive, distressing, and persistent fear or anxiety centered on a specific object or situation. Individuals with a specific phobia often recognize that their level of fear is irrational, yet they may go to great lengths to avoid the phobic stimulus. The anxiety and avoidance behaviors associated with the phobia are typically disruptive to the person's daily life and functioning.

Specific Phobia

Social anxiety disorder, which was previously known as social phobia, is defined by an intense and persistent fear of social situations where an individual might face negative judgment from others. This anxiety leads to the avoidance of such situations.

Social Anxiety Disorder (Social Phobia)

The major types of anxiety disorders include generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, specific phobia, social anxiety disorder, separation anxiety disorder, and selective mutism.

Columbia University

University of Georgia

Google

Anxiety disorder can range from mild feelings of nervousness and anxiousness to excessive fear or anxiety due to anticipation of future events.

Anxiety Disorder

American Psychiatric Association. Anxiety Disorders. In: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th ed. Text Revision. American Psychiatric Association; 2022: pp. 215-231.

Anxiety Disorder Reference

Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020, April 22). Psychology (2nd ed.). OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/1-introduction

Learn Before

Related

Learn After