Panic disorder
Characterised by recurrent, unexpected panic attacks, at least one
of which has been followed by one or more months of persistent concern
about having additional attacks, worry about the implications of the
attack (e.g., fear of going crazy or having a heart attack), or a
significant change in behaviour. Agoraphobia often develops (fear of being
in places or situations from which escape may be difficult should a
panic attack occur, leading to avoidance of many activities).
Phobias
More circumscribed forms of anxiety.
Simple phobia: persistent, excessive or
unreasonable fear of specific objects or situations, with
subsequent avoidance of such objects or situations.
Social
phobia: fear of any situation where public scrutiny may be
possible, usually with the fear of having a panic attack, or behaving
in a way that is embarrassing or humiliating.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Involves
specific cognitive and behavioural symptoms accompanying the
feelings of anxiety: obsessional thoughts (recurrent
thoughts, impulses or images that are experienced as intrusive and
inappropriate and that cause marked anxiety), and compulsions
(repetitive behaviours or mental acts that the person feels driven to
perform in response to an obsession in order to reduce anxiety).
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Occurs after
an acutely distressing or catastrophic event. Symptoms include
re-experiencing the trauma (e.g., recurrent dreams,
flashbacks), persistent avoidance of stimuli associated with the
event, and persistent symptoms of increased arousal
(hypervigilance, irritability, exaggerated startle response).
Generalised anxiety disorder
Excessive anxiety and
worry, occurring most days for more than six months. It refers to
excessive anxiety in a range of situations that does not fit into any of
the more common syndromes.
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