Definitions

Anxiety is different than feeling anxious

Humans experience fear because fear is one mechanism our bodies use to keep it safe. Feeling fear or feeling anxious is a normal response to something our bodies perceive as threatening. Fear is often a good thing – many of us feel fear and an anxious feeling when we drive our cars too fast, stand too close to a ledge, or see a spider. These are all things that are meant to keep us safe. Even a bit of fear around an upcoming test, first date, or job interview is a normal way of our bodies trying to keep us safe.

Similar to depression, anxiety as a mental health problem is generally when these feelings of fear and anxiety impact an individual’s ability to enjoy life

More specifically, the DSM-5 defines generalized anxiety disorder as:

A. Excessive anxiety and worry (apprehensive expectation), occurring more days than not for at least 6 months, about a number of events or activities (such as work or school performance) AND
B. The individual finds it difficult to control the worry AND
C. The anxiety and worry are associated with three (or more) of the following six symptoms (With at least some symptoms having been presents for more days than not for the past 6 months). Note: Only one item is required in children

1. Restlessness or feeling ‘keyed up’ or ‘on edge’.
2. Being easily fatigued.
3. Difficulty concentrating or mind going blank.
4. Irritability.
5. Muscle tension.
6. Sleep disturbance (difficulty falling or staying asleep, or restless, unsatisfying sleep)

Similar to depression, generalized anxiety disorder is only one type of anxiety related disorder.

Other Types of Anxiety Disorders

Specific Phobias

Fear of any number of specific places or things, such as spiders, air travel, or large crowds, that limits a person’s ability to do tings they would otherwise enjoy. There’s five subtypes of specific phobias:

1. Animals
2. Natural environment
3. Blood and Injury
4. Situational
5. Others

Social Phobia

A social phobia is experienced when the specific phobia involves a social situation, such as meeting new people at a dinner party, presenting in front of others, or other specific (or general) social interactions. It is often called the “disease of missed opportunity”. Like all anxiety disorders, there are effective treatments available.