Anxiety disorder: Difference between revisions

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{{SI}}<br>
{{Infobox medical condition
| name    = Anxiety disorder
| image    = [[File:The_Scream.jpg|250px]]
| caption  = ''[[The Scream]]'' by [[Edvard Munch]], often used to represent anxiety
| field    = [[Psychiatry]]
| symptoms    = [[Excessive worry]], [[fear]], [[nervousness]], [[restlessness]], [[panic attacks]]
| onset    = [[Childhood]] or [[adulthood]]
| duration    = [[Chronic]]
| causes    = [[Genetic]], [[environmental]], [[psychological]] factors
| risks    = [[Family history]], [[trauma]], [[stress]], [[substance abuse]]
| diagnosis  = [[Clinical assessment]], [[DSM-5]] criteria
| differential  = [[Depression]], [[bipolar disorder]], [[thyroid disorders]], [[heart disease]]
| treatment  = [[Cognitive behavioral therapy]], [[medication]], [[lifestyle changes]]
| medication  = [[Antidepressants]], [[anxiolytics]], [[beta blockers]]
| frequency  = Common; affects millions worldwide
| deaths    = Rare, but can lead to [[suicide]] if untreated
}}
{{DISPLAYTITLE:Anxiety Disorder}}
{{DISPLAYTITLE:Anxiety Disorder}}
== Anxiety Disorder ==
== Anxiety Disorder ==
[[File:The_Scream.jpg|thumb|right|200px|''The Scream'' by Edvard Munch, often associated with feelings of anxiety.]]
[[File:The_Scream.jpg|thumb|right|200px|''The Scream'' by Edvard Munch, often associated with feelings of anxiety.]]
Anxiety disorders are a group of [[mental health]] disorders characterized by significant feelings of anxiety and fear. Anxiety is a worry about future events, and fear is a reaction to current events. These feelings may cause physical symptoms, such as a fast heart rate and shakiness.
Anxiety disorders are a group of [[mental health]] disorders characterized by significant feelings of anxiety and fear. Anxiety is a worry about future events, and fear is a reaction to current events. These feelings may cause physical symptoms, such as a fast heart rate and shakiness.
== Types of Anxiety Disorders ==
== Types of Anxiety Disorders ==
Anxiety disorders include:
Anxiety disorders include:
* [[Generalized anxiety disorder]] (GAD)
* [[Generalized anxiety disorder]] (GAD)
* [[Panic disorder]]
* [[Panic disorder]]
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* [[Agoraphobia]]
* [[Agoraphobia]]
* [[Separation anxiety disorder]]
* [[Separation anxiety disorder]]
Each type of anxiety disorder has its own unique set of symptoms, but all are characterized by excessive fear or worry.
Each type of anxiety disorder has its own unique set of symptoms, but all are characterized by excessive fear or worry.
== Symptoms ==
== Symptoms ==
Common symptoms of anxiety disorders include:
Common symptoms of anxiety disorders include:
* Feeling nervous, restless, or tense
* Feeling nervous, restless, or tense
* Having a sense of impending danger, panic, or doom
* Having a sense of impending danger, panic, or doom
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* Feeling weak or tired
* Feeling weak or tired
* Trouble concentrating or thinking about anything other than the present worry
* Trouble concentrating or thinking about anything other than the present worry
== Causes ==
== Causes ==
The exact cause of anxiety disorders is unknown, but they are likely a combination of genetic, environmental, psychological, and developmental factors. Risk factors include:
The exact cause of anxiety disorders is unknown, but they are likely a combination of genetic, environmental, psychological, and developmental factors. Risk factors include:
* Trauma
* Trauma
* Stress due to an illness
* Stress due to an illness
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* Having blood relatives with an anxiety disorder
* Having blood relatives with an anxiety disorder
* Drugs or alcohol
* Drugs or alcohol
== Diagnosis ==
== Diagnosis ==
Diagnosis of anxiety disorders involves a physical exam, mental health evaluation, and psychological questionnaires. Healthcare providers may use the [[Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders]] (DSM-5) criteria to diagnose anxiety disorders.
Diagnosis of anxiety disorders involves a physical exam, mental health evaluation, and psychological questionnaires. Healthcare providers may use the [[Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders]] (DSM-5) criteria to diagnose anxiety disorders.
== Treatment ==
== Treatment ==
Treatment for anxiety disorders often includes a combination of therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes. Common treatments include:
Treatment for anxiety disorders often includes a combination of therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes. Common treatments include:
* [[Cognitive behavioral therapy]] (CBT)
* [[Cognitive behavioral therapy]] (CBT)
* [[Antidepressants]]
* [[Antidepressants]]
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* [[Beta-blockers]]
* [[Beta-blockers]]
* [[Lifestyle changes]] such as regular exercise, healthy diet, and adequate sleep
* [[Lifestyle changes]] such as regular exercise, healthy diet, and adequate sleep
== Prognosis ==
== Prognosis ==
With proper treatment, many people with anxiety disorders can manage their symptoms and lead normal, fulfilling lives. However, some may experience chronic anxiety that requires ongoing treatment.
With proper treatment, many people with anxiety disorders can manage their symptoms and lead normal, fulfilling lives. However, some may experience chronic anxiety that requires ongoing treatment.
== Related Pages ==
== Related Pages ==
* [[Mental health]]
* [[Mental health]]
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* [[Stress (biology)]]
* [[Stress (biology)]]
* [[Psychotherapy]]
* [[Psychotherapy]]
[[Category:Mental disorders]]
[[Category:Mental disorders]]
[[Category:Anxiety disorders]]
[[Category:Anxiety disorders]]

Latest revision as of 14:01, 4 April 2025

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC

Anxiety disorder
Synonyms N/A
Pronounce N/A
Specialty N/A
Symptoms Excessive worry, fear, nervousness, restlessness, panic attacks
Complications N/A
Onset Childhood or adulthood
Duration Chronic
Types N/A
Causes Genetic, environmental, psychological factors
Risks Family history, trauma, stress, substance abuse
Diagnosis Clinical assessment, DSM-5 criteria
Differential diagnosis Depression, bipolar disorder, thyroid disorders, heart disease
Prevention N/A
Treatment Cognitive behavioral therapy, medication, lifestyle changes
Medication Antidepressants, anxiolytics, beta blockers
Prognosis N/A
Frequency Common; affects millions worldwide
Deaths Rare, but can lead to suicide if untreated


Anxiety Disorder[edit]

The Scream by Edvard Munch, often associated with feelings of anxiety.

Anxiety disorders are a group of mental health disorders characterized by significant feelings of anxiety and fear. Anxiety is a worry about future events, and fear is a reaction to current events. These feelings may cause physical symptoms, such as a fast heart rate and shakiness.

Types of Anxiety Disorders[edit]

Anxiety disorders include:

Each type of anxiety disorder has its own unique set of symptoms, but all are characterized by excessive fear or worry.

Symptoms[edit]

Common symptoms of anxiety disorders include:

  • Feeling nervous, restless, or tense
  • Having a sense of impending danger, panic, or doom
  • Increased heart rate
  • Rapid breathing (hyperventilation)
  • Sweating
  • Trembling
  • Feeling weak or tired
  • Trouble concentrating or thinking about anything other than the present worry

Causes[edit]

The exact cause of anxiety disorders is unknown, but they are likely a combination of genetic, environmental, psychological, and developmental factors. Risk factors include:

  • Trauma
  • Stress due to an illness
  • Stress buildup
  • Personality
  • Other mental health disorders
  • Having blood relatives with an anxiety disorder
  • Drugs or alcohol

Diagnosis[edit]

Diagnosis of anxiety disorders involves a physical exam, mental health evaluation, and psychological questionnaires. Healthcare providers may use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) criteria to diagnose anxiety disorders.

Treatment[edit]

Treatment for anxiety disorders often includes a combination of therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes. Common treatments include:

Prognosis[edit]

With proper treatment, many people with anxiety disorders can manage their symptoms and lead normal, fulfilling lives. However, some may experience chronic anxiety that requires ongoing treatment.

Related Pages[edit]