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Content on this page:
Overview
Anxiety disorders are disorders that have common features of
excessive fear and anxiety with related behavioral disturbances. It is further
defined in the Introduction
section.
A detailed discussion on the incidence and prevalence of different
types of anxiety can be found in the Epidemiology
section.
The pathogenesis of anxiety disorders is not well
understood. However, they may stem from a complex interplay of biological,
psychological, and social or environmental factors. Discussion of these factors
are in the Pathophysiology section.
History and Physical Examination
The Clinical Presentation section enumerates the signs and symptoms of the different types of anxiety.
Diagnosis
The DSM-5 diagnostic criteria is the main tool used in
diagnosing the different types of anxiety. This criteria and screening tools
are in the Diagnosis or Diagnostic Criteria and Screening
sections respectively.
The psychiatric and general medical disorders
that can overlap with the signs and symptoms of anxiety are enumerated in the Differential Diagnosis section.
Management
Factors to consider in choosing drugs for the management of
anxiety is in the Principles of Therapy
section.
Various therapeutic agents that can be used in the
management of anxiety are in the Pharmacological
Therapy section.
Patient education, cognitive behavioral therapy, distraction
techniques, lifestyle changes, mindfulness-based interventions, psychodynamic
psychotherapy and relaxation techniques and biofeedback that can be employed in
patients with anxiety are discussed in detail in the Nonpharmacological section.
Patient monitoring is an important part of the
management of anxiety. Frequency of follow up and monitoring of patients with anxiety
along with therapy change and long-term treatment are discussed in the Monitoring section.
