Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is an anxiety disorder characterized by excessive anxiety and worry that is not focused on a single trigger (e.g., fear of social situations, fear of having a panic attack, or fear of a specific event/situation). In DSM-V, this has been replaced with text indicating that “the disturbance is not better explained by another mental disorder.”
Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder characterized by panic attack(s) and the ongoing concern about experiencing additional panic attacks. A panic attack is an abrupt, but quickly peaking, surge of intense fear or discomfort, and accompanied by a series of physical symptoms.
Agoraphobia is an anxiety disorder characterized by an intense fear or anxiety triggered by the real or anticipated exposure to a number of situations (i.e., using public transportation, being in open spaces, being in enclosed spaces, standing in line, being in a crowd, or being outside the home), which causes clinically significant distress or impairment
Specific phobia is an anxiety disorder characterized by fear or anxiety about the presence of a specific object or situation.
Social phobia is an anxiety disorder characterized by fear of social situations wherein the individual may be exposed to scrutiny by others.
Separation anxiety disorder (SAD) is a psychological condition in which an individual experiences excessive anxiety, fear, or distress regarding separation from home or from people to whom the individual has a strong emotional attachment (e.g., a parent, grandparents, or siblings).
The anxiety that is expressed is categorized as being atypical of the expected developmental level and age and can be diagnosed among adults and children.
The severity of the symptoms ranges from anticipatory uneasiness to full-blown anxiety about separation. SAD may cause significant negative effects within a person’s everyday life, as well. These effects can be seen in areas of social and emotional functioning, family life, physical health, and within the academic context.
The duration of this problem must persist for at least 4 weeks and must present itself before a person is 18 years of age to be diagnosed as SAD.
OCD & PTSD are no longer included as anxiety disorders; they are now listed in another section of the DSM-V.