General public definition
- Anxiety disorder is currently not listed as a diagnosis in the DSM-5-TR or ICD-11, although anxiety disorders are a class of psychiatric disorders in the DSM-5-TR.
- Anxiety is part of the body’s early warning system of anticipated danger. Anxiety is a normal reaction when you are confronted by something frightening or threatening. Common features of anxiety are worry, nervousness, restlessness, sweating, rapid heart rate, muscle tension, irritability, trouble concentrating, and feelings of dread.
- Sometimes people experience symptoms of anxiety when there is no obvious threat. This may be because the person has internal feelings and concerns that trigger the same physical and psychological responses as a threat. If these anxiety symptoms are severe or long-lasting, they may be part of an anxiety disorder. Panic disorder, social phobia, or generalized anxiety disorder are some of the diagnoses that are classified as anxiety disorders.
- Anxiety disorders can be successfully treated with psychotherapy and/or medication.
Academic definition
- Anxiety disorder is currently not listed as a diagnosis in either the DSM-5-TR or ICD-11, although anxiety disorders are a class of psychiatric disorders listed in the DSM-5-TR.
- Anxiety disorders appear to be caused by the cognitive, emotional, and physiological overactivation of the fear response, which results in anxiety symptoms and disruption to normal psychosocial functioning. According to the DSM-5-TR, several diagnoses that share common features of anxiety, excessive fear, and behavioural disturbance are classified as anxiety disorders:
- Separation anxiety
- Selective mutism
- Specific phobia
- Social phobia
- Panic disorder
- Agoraphobia
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Substance/medication-induced anxiety disorder, and
- Anxiety disorder due to another medical condition
- Symptoms of anxiety disorders are often aversive and disruptive to normal functioning. They commonly include feelings of worry, nervousness, restlessness, rapid heart rate, muscle tension, irritability, hyperventilation, sleep disruption, feelings of dread, and difficulties with attention and concentration.
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