by DSM-5 Anxiety Disorders Criteria
Anxiety disorders are a group of mental health conditions characterized by feelings of worry, fear, or unease. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) is the classification system used by mental health professionals to diagnose anxiety disorders. This article provides an overview of the DSM-5 criteria for diagnosing anxiety disorders.
Diagnostic Criteria for Anxiety Disorders
The DSM-5 classifies anxiety disorders into several categories. These include:
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
- Panic Disorder
- Agoraphobia
- Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)
- Specific Phobias
- Separation Anxiety Disorder
- Substance/Medication-Induced Anxiety Disorder
- Other Specified Anxiety Disorder
- Unspecified Anxiety Disorder
The DSM-5 criteria for diagnosing anxiety disorders are based on the presence of certain symptoms and the duration and intensity of those symptoms. Symptoms must be present for at least six months in order for a diagnosis to be made.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
GAD is characterized by excessive worry or anxiety about a number of different events or activities. To be diagnosed with GAD, a person must experience three or more of the following symptoms:
- Restlessness or feeling on edge
- Easily fatigued
- Difficulty concentrating or mind going blank
- Irritability
- Muscle tension
- Sleep disturbances
The symptoms must be present most days for at least six months and must cause significant distress or impairment in functioning.
Panic Disorder
Panic disorder is characterized by recurrent, unexpected panic attacks. To be diagnosed with panic disorder, a person must experience at least four of the following symptoms during a panic attack:
- Palpitations, pounding heart, or accelerated heart rate
- Sweating
- Trembling or shaking
- Sensations of shortness of breath or smothering
- Feelings of choking
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Nausea or abdominal distress
- Feeling dizzy, unsteady, lightheaded, or faint
- Chills or heat sensations
- Numbness or tingling sensations
- Feelings of unreality or being detached from oneself
- Fear of losing control or going crazy
- Fear of dying
In addition, to be diagnosed with panic disorder, a person must experience recurrent unexpected panic attacks, as well as at least one of the following:
- Persistent concern or worry about additional panic attacks
- Worry about the implications of the attack or its consequences (e.g., losing control, having a heart attack, etc.)
- A significant change in behavior related to the attacks
Agoraphobia
Agoraphobia is an anxiety disorder characterized by intense fear or anxiety about two or more of the following situations:
- Using public transportation
- Being in open spaces
- Being in enclosed spaces
- Standing in line or being in a crowd
- Being outside of the home alone
A person must experience intense fear or anxiety in at least two of these situations and must avoid or endure the situation with significant distress in order to be diagnosed with agoraphobia.
Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)
SAD is an anxiety disorder characterized by intense fear or anxiety about one or more social situations. To be diagnosed with SAD, a person must experience intense fear or anxiety in at least one of the following situations:
- Interacting with strangers
- Being observed or performing in front of others
- Being criticized or evaluated by others
- Attending social gatherings
The fear or anxiety must be out of proportion to the actual threat posed by the situation and must cause significant distress or impairment in functioning.
Specific Phobias
Specific phobias are an anxiety disorder characterized by intense fear or anxiety about a specific object or situation. To be diagnosed with a specific phobia, a person must experience intense fear or anxiety in response to the specific object or situation and must avoid or endure the situation with significant distress or impairment in functioning.
Separation Anxiety Disorder
Separation anxiety disorder is an anxiety disorder characterized by intense fear or anxiety about separation from home or from those to whom the person is attached. To be diagnosed with separation anxiety disorder, a person must experience three or more of the following symptoms:
- Excessive distress when separated from home or attachment figures
- Persistent and excessive worry about losing attachment figures or about possible harm befalling them
- Persistent and excessive worry that an event will lead to separation from attachment figures
- Persistent reluctance or refusal to go out, away from home, to school, to work, or elsewhere because of fear of separation
- Persistent and excessive fear of or reluctance about being alone or without attachment figures at home or in other settings
- Persistent reluctance or refusal to sleep away from home or to go to sleep without being near an attachment figure
- Repeated nightmares involving the theme of separation
- Repeated complaints of physical symptoms (such as headaches, stomachaches, nausea, or vomiting) when separation from attachment figures occurs or is anticipated
Substance/Medication-Induced Anxiety Disorder
Substance/medication-induced anxiety disorder is an anxiety disorder caused by the use of or withdrawal from a substance or medication. To be diagnosed with substance/medication-induced anxiety disorder, a person must experience three or more of the following symptoms:
- Restlessness or feeling on edge
- Easily fatigued
- Difficulty concentrating or mind going blank
- Irritability
- Muscle tension
- Sleep disturbances
- Panic attack
The symptoms must be present during or shortly after the use of or withdrawal from a substance or medication and must cause significant distress or impairment in functioning.
Other Specified Anxiety Disorder
Other specified anxiety disorder is an anxiety disorder that does not meet the criteria for any of the other anxiety disorders. To be diagnosed with other specified anxiety disorder, a person must experience three or more of the following symptoms:
- Restlessness or feeling on edge
- Easily fatigued
- Difficulty concentrating or mind going blank
- Irritability
- Muscle tension
- Sleep disturbances
The symptoms must be present for at least six months and must cause significant distress or impairment in functioning.
Unspecified Anxiety Disorder
Unspecified anxiety disorder is an anxiety disorder that does not meet the criteria for any of the other anxiety disorders. To be diagnosed with unspecified anxiety disorder, a person must experience three or more of the following symptoms:
- Restlessness or feeling on edge
- Easily fatigued
- Difficulty concentrating or mind going blank
- Irritability
- Muscle tension
- Sleep disturbances
The symptoms must be present for at least six months and must cause significant distress or impairment in functioning.
The DSM-5 criteria for diagnosing anxiety disorders are based on the presence of certain symptoms and the duration and intensity of those symptoms. If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of an anxiety disorder, it is important to seek professional help. A mental health professional can help diagnose and treat anxiety disorders.
