Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders are mental health conditions whose primary symptom is anxiety, which manifests in an inappropriately intense, persistent, or recurrent form. 

Typical Characteristics
 

• Intense anxiety or worry

• Physical symptoms (e.g., rapid heartbeat, trembling, sweating, or shortness of breath)

• Avoidance behavior

• Significant impairment in daily life

Anxiety disorders are classified under ICD-10 codes F40/F41

Types of anxiety disorders
 

• Agoraphobia (F40.0): Fear of situations or places from which escape seems difficult (e.g., crowds, public places, traveling)

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• Social phobias (F40.1): Marked fear of social evaluation or embarrassment in social situations

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• Specific phobias (F40.2): Fear of specific objects or situations, e.g., heights, spiders, injections, or flying

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• Panic disorder (F41.0): Recurrent, sudden panic attacks with severe physical symptoms

 

• Generalized anxiety disorder (F41.1): Persistent, difficult-to-control worry and tension in many areas of life

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Prevalence

According to S3 guidelines, the lifetime risk of developing an anxiety disorder ranges from 14% to 29%. 

Treatment

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) assumes that anxiety symptoms arise from the interactio of stressful experiences, thoughts, feelings, and behavior, and are maintained, among other things, by anxiety-provoking thought patterns and avoidance behaviors.

Treatment goals:
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• Identify and challenge anxiety-provoking automatic thoughts

• Develop more realistic and helpful ways of thinking

• Reduce avoidance and safety-seeking behaviors

• Gradually confront anxiety-provoking situations (exposure)

• Learn strategies for managing anxiety and physical symptoms

• Strengthen self-confidence and a sense of control in daily life

• Prevent relapse