Anxiety Disorder - Definitions
The following diagnostic categories are currently accepted by the American Psychiatric Association and Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
(Yudofsky SC, Gabbard GO, eds. Textbook of Psychiatry: 5th Edition. Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing, Inc., 2008)
In order to understand how each disorder is diagnosed, read through the following points step-by-step. For each step, a diagnosis is made or rejected. If it is rejected, move down to the next step.
A person develops symptoms of anxiety or fear with or without associated symptoms (such as depersonalisation)
- If these are due to a medical condition, the diagnosis is Anxiety Disorder Due to General Medical Condition
- If the symptoms are not due to a medical condition but are due to physiological effects of a substance (e.g. drug abuse or medication) the diagnosis is Substance-Induced Anxiety Disorder
- If neither of the above apply and the person has recurrent unexpected panic attacks AND has worried about these attacks for more than ONE MONTH the diagnosis is Panic Disorder
- If the person has anxiety about being in an enclosed space, the diagnosis is Panic Disorder with Agoraphobia
- If the person does not have recurrent unexpected panic attacks, but has anxiety about being in an enclosed space, the diagnosis is Agoraphobia without Panic Disorder
- If none of the above apply and the person has anxiety associated with separation from attachment figures with an onset in childhood, the diagnosis is Separation Anxiety Disorder
- If none of the above apply, and the person has fear of embarrassment in social or performance situations, the diagnosis is Social Phobia (Social Anxiety Disorder)
- If none of the above apply and the anxiety or fear is triggered by a specific object or situation, the diagnosis is Specific Phobia
- If none of the above apply and the anxiety is associated with obsessive or compulsive thoughts or behaviours the diagnosis is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
- If none of the above apply and there has been a 6-month period of excessive worry or anxiety and associated symptoms the diagnosis is Generalized Anxiety Disorder
- If none of the above apply and the anxiety began in response to a severe traumatic event, the diagnosis is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
- If none of the above apply, the remaining diagnostic categories are Adjustment Disorder with Anxiety or Anxiety Disorder Not Otherwise Specified.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is correct at the time of reporting (19/02/09). This information should not be used to make an official diagnosis and is provided for educational purposes only. It is important that you consult a properly qualified medical professional in order to receive accurate diagnosis.
