anxiety disorder

anxiety disorder

n.

Any of various psychiatric disorders in which anxiety is either the primary disturbance or is the result of confronting a feared situation or object.

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Anxiety disorder

This is the experience of prolonged, excessive worry about circumstances in one's life. It disrupts daily life.

Mentioned in: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

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anxiety disorder,

a disorder in which anxiety is the most prominent feature. The symptoms range from mild, chronic tenseness, with feelings of timidity, fatigue, apprehension, and indecisiveness, to more intense states of restlessness and irritability that may lead to aggressive acts, persistent helplessness, or withdrawal. In extreme cases, the overwhelming emotional discomfort is accompanied by physical responses, including tremor, sustained muscle tension, tachycardia, dyspnea, hypertension, increased respiration, and profuse diaphoresis. Other physical signs include changes in skin color, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, restlessness, immobilization, insomnia, and changes in appetite, all occurring without identification of a known underlying organic cause. See also anxiety, anxiety attack, anxiety reaction, anxiety state, obsessive-compulsive disorder, phobia, and posttraumatic stress disorder.

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anxiety disorder

Child psychiatry Exaggerated or inappropriate responses to the perception of internal or external dangers Psychiatry A general term that encompasses a broad range of conditions attributed to a state of heightened mental stress, anxiety and panic disorders, both exogenous and endogenous Statistics ADs affects 10–15% of Americans, and commands ±10% of the mental health bill Etiology Mental or physical trauma–eg, immune response to infections, substance abuse, genetic components Types of AD Panic attack, agoraphobia, specific phobia(s), social phobia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, acute stress disorder, AD associated with medical conditions, substance abuse, or not otherwise specified

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Patient discussion about anxiety disorder.

Q. Was this true Asperger's syndrome, or a social anxiety disorder? I've been told multiple times by multiple people (though none of them doctors) that I probably have Ausperger's syndrome, or at least suffered from it through most of my childhood. I have struggled socially a GREAT deal, and have overcome many things, though I still am socially awkward and easily confused in social situations. Conversely, I am a secretary and receptionist by trade, and seem to have most people 'fooled' when I have medication for my diagnosed medical condition. Was this true Asperger's syndrome, or a social anxiety disorder?

A. Well, I like to share my experience from which you find an answer. My 19 year old brother has AS, and I would not say he is at all retarded, although once people get to know him they assume that he is. His intellectual/IQ level isn't any lower than the "normal", but he definitely struggles socially, always has, always will. Hell, so do I... and I wouldn't be surprised if I have a touch of AS myself. Anyhow he is able to work, pay bills, follow commitments through, etc., He's actually very responsible…can't say that for many "normal" folk. His main quirk is that he really fixates on things...for example if his favorite TV show is "Lost", he'll talk about it and run it into the ground until he makes you absolutely hate it from overkill. Other than that he's not much different from the rest of us.