Download Anxiety Disorders

Characteristics of a Disorder
Unjustifiable
 Maladaptive
 Atypical
 Disturbing

How are disorders diagnosed?

Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of
Mental Disorders
 5 editions
 Provides diagnostic classification (disorder
names or codes), symptoms, statistics,
treatment options

Issues with the DSM
Categories of Disorders
Anxiety
Disorders
Psychotic
Disorders
Mood
Disorders
Dissociative
Disorders
Personality
Disorders
Anxiety: A vague feeling of apprehension & nervousness
Symptoms: Restlessness, Feeling on Edge, Irritability, Sleep problems,
Difficulty Concentrating, Muscle Tension
Anxiety Disorders
Generalized
Anxiety
Disorder
Posttraumatic
Stress
Disorder
Panic
Disorder
Phobia
Obsessive
Compulsive
Disorder
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Anxiety Symptoms last must longer than usual
(6 Mos.) & are not tied to any specific event.
 Aware of unusually high anxiety, but can’t
shake it off or pinpoint the cause.
 Usually sets in during Childhood or
adolescence.

Panic Disorder
Sudden bouts of intense, unexplained fear
that something bad is going to happen.
 Panic attacks happen regularly.
 Choking sensation, heart rate increases,
Fear of losing control, nausea, intense terror
 Usually last less than 30 minutes.

Phobias
(1) Disruptive, (2) irrational fears of objects or
situations.
 Social Phobias: Fear of certain social situations.
 Agoraphobia: Fear of having a panic attack.
They avoid open spaces & Isolate themselves to
avoid the trigger.
 Can be learned, but genetic predisposition
exists.
 http://www.phobialist.com/reverse.html#A
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Triggered by intense stress
 Rape, Abuse, Car Accident, Death, etc.

Symptoms: Nightmares, persistent fear, emotionally
distant, easily angered, flashbacks & troubling memories.
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd/what-are-the-symptoms-of-ptsd.shtml
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Obsessions: Repetitive thoughts.
 Concern with germs, symmetry, order, grades
 Compulsions: Repetitive actions.
 Excessive cleaning, repeating rituals, training
 Only way to reduce anxiety is to carry out
compulsion. (Temporary relief)

Types of OCD:

Checkers: harm will be caused if things are not in the
appropriate state of being.
Ex. Door Locks, “Off” switches, homework

Washers: Fear of contamination. Never feel safe or clean
from contaminants.

Hoarders: Collect insignificant items and have trouble turning
down items or throwing items out.

Counters: Feel the urge to count and re-count items or
actions. They are compelled to repeat processes in certain
numerical patterns to satisfy the obsession.
Treatment for Anxiety Disorders

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
 Gain control over unwanted thought patterns
 Gain control over unwanted behaviors

Medication