Disorder | Key features |
---|---|
Panic disorder | • Recurrent unexpected panic attacks, in the absence of triggers • Persistent concern about additional panic attacks and/or maladaptive change in behavior related to the attacks |
Agoraphobia | • Marked, unreasonable fear or anxiety about a situation • Active avoidance of feared situation due to thoughts that escape might be difficult or help unavailable if panic-like symptoms occur |
Specific phobia | • Marked, unreasonable fear or anxiety about a specific object or situation, which is actively avoided (e.g., flying, heights, animals, receiving an injection, seeing blood) |
Social anxiety disorder (SAD) | • Marked, excessive or unrealistic fear or anxiety about social situations in which there is possible exposure to scrutiny by others • Active avoidance of feared situation |
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) | • Excessive, difficult to control anxiety and worry (apprehensive expectation) about multiple events or activities (e.g., school/work difficulties) • Accompanied by symptoms such as restlessness/feeling on edge or muscle tension |
Obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) | • Obsessions: recurrent and persistent thoughts, urges, or images that are experienced as intrusive and unwanted and that cause marked anxiety or distress • Compulsions: repetitive behaviors (e.g., hand washing) or mental acts (e.g., counting) that the individual feels driven to perform to reduce the anxiety generated by the obsessions |
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) | • Exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violation • Intrusion symptoms (e.g., distressing memories or dreams, flashbacks, intense distress) and avoidance of stimuli associated with the event • Negative alterations in cognitions and mood (e.g., negative beliefs and emotions, detachment), as well as marked alterations in arousal and reactivity (e.g., irritable behavior, hypervigilance) |