Separation Anxiety Disorder
Separation Anxiety Disorder is a disorder that is characterized by developmentally inappropriate and excessive fear or anxiety concerning separation from those to whom the individual is attached, as evidenced by at least three of the following: recurrent and excessive distress about anticipating or being away from home or loved ones; constant, excessive worry about losing a parent or other loved one to an illness or a disaster; constant worry that something bad will happen, such as being lost or kidnapped, causing separation from parents or other loved ones; refusing to be away from home because of fear of separation; not wanting to be home alone and without a parent or other loved one in the house; reluctance or refusing to sleep away from home without a parent or other loved one nearby; repeated nightmares about separation; and/or frequent complaints of headaches, stomachaches or other symptoms when separation from a parent or other loved one is anticipated. The fear, anxiety, or avoidance is persistent, lasting at least 4 weeks in children and adolescents and typically 6 months or more in adults. Separation anxiety disorder may be associated with panic disorder and panic attacks ― repeated episodes of sudden feelings of intense anxiety and fear or terror that reach a peak within minutes.
Specific Phobias
Specific Phobias are identified by the fear or intense anxiety about a specific object or situation (e.g., flying, heights, animals, receiving an injection, seeing blood). The phobic object or situation almost always provokes immediate fear or anxiety. Individuals may either actively avoid the object/situation or the phobic stimulus is endured with intense fear or anxiety. The response is disproportionate to the actual danger posed and to the sociocultural context. The fear, anxiety, or avoidance typically lasts for six months or more and causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
Social Anxiety Disorder
Social Anxiety Disorder is a relatively common problem, characterized by heightened anxiety or fear about being evaluated by others in social situations. The anxiety is considered disproportionate to the actual situation and can be highly distressing. The fear may be related to performance, such as public speaking, or even benign interactions with others, such as speaking with a sales associate or meeting someone new. Some individuals even experience social anxiety while just being watched by others, such as eating in public. Individuals with social anxiety disorder tend to either avoid the feared situation or suffer through it with intense discomfort. Shame and embarrassment are also commonly experienced emotions in individuals with social anxiety. Individuals with social anxiety may also struggle with being assertive.
Panic Disorder
Panic Disorder is characterized by the experience of recurrent and unexpected panic attacks. A panic attack is an abrupt period of intense fear or discomfort that heightens significantly within minutes and is accompanied by 4 or more of the following systemic symptoms: palpitations, pounding heart, or accelerated heart rate; sweating; trembling or shaking; sensations of shortness of breath or smothering; a feeling of choking; chest pain or discomfort; nausea or abdominal distress; feeling dizzy, unsteady, lightheaded, or faint; feelings of unreality (derealization) or being detached from oneself (depersonalization); fear of losing control or “going crazy”; fear of dying; numbness or tingling sensations (paresthesias); chills or hot flushes. In addition, at least one panic attack is followed by one month or more of the individual fearing that they will have more attacks, which may cause them to change their behavior and often includes avoiding situations that might induce an attack.
Agoraphobia
Agoraphobia is characterized by a marked, or intense, fear or anxiety triggered by the real or anticipated exposure to a wide range of situations such as use of public transportation, being in open or enclosed spaces, being in crowds or being outside one’s home alone. Individuals with agoraphobia often avoid these situations due to fears that escape would be difficult or that they may not be able to receive help if they were to experience panic-like symptoms. The situations almost always provoke fear or anxiety. The fear, anxiety, or avoidance causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is among the most common psychological problems. It is characterized by excessive anxiety about numerous situations and is frequently resistant to individuals’ attempts to control the anxiety. Features of GAD are related to mood, thought, and body, including feeling restless, fatigued, irritable, physically tense, and experiencing difficulty with concentration and sleep. Individuals with GAD may also experience other physical symptoms such as sweating, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, and gastrointestinal complaints. GAD tends to cause significant distress at home, work, school, and in relationships, and is often stable throughout an individual’s life. GAD is differentiated from typical worrying by the intense nature of the mood and physical symptoms, consistent preoccupation of the individual’s thoughts, and significant impact in many areas of their life.
Illness Anxiety Disorder (Hypochondriasis)
Illness Anxiety Disorder (Hypochondriasis) is classified under the category of Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders. It is characterized by an individual’s strong belief and excessive worry that they have a serious or life-threatening illness despite having no, or only mild, symptoms. Symptoms of Illness Anxiety Disorder (IAD) involve excessive worry over having or getting a serious illness, excessive health-related behaviors (e.g., repeatedly checking body for signs of illness) or abnormal avoidance (e.g., avoiding doctors’ appointments and hospitals), high levels of anxiety and alarm over personal health status, and little to no presence of physical symptoms. Furthermore, signs may include: being preoccupied with having or getting a serious disease or health condition; worrying that minor symptoms or body sensations are indicative of a serious illness; being easily alarmed about a health status; finding little or no reassurance from doctor visits or negative test results; and frequently making medical appointments for reassurance and/or avoiding medical care for fear of being diagnosed with a serious illness. IAD may fluctuate in severity and increase with age or during times of stress.