Anxiety Disorders (Intro Psych Tutorial #228)

Summary

In this video, Michael Corayer discusses anxiety disorders as categorized in the DSM-5, focusing on specific phobias, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, agoraphobia, generalized anxiety disorder, and separation anxiety. He explains the irrational nature of specific phobias, the prevalence rates, and the impact on daily life. The video also touches on the connection between social anxiety and substance abuse, the unpredictable nature of panic attacks, and the ever-present worry in generalized anxiety disorder. Additionally, it highlights the developmental inappropriateness of separation anxiety and its prevalence across different age groups.

Takeaways

• 🔍 Anxiety disorders are a category of mental health conditions characterized by anxiety, panic, or excessive fear as a primary symptom.
• 🐍 Specific phobias involve irrational fears of specific objects or situations, such as snakes or enclosed spaces, and can lead to panic reactions even without real danger.
• 🧬 The prevalence of specific phobias is higher in women and is most common among individuals aged 13 to 16, according to the preparedness theory, which suggests an evolutionary advantage in learning certain fears.
• 🤝 Social anxiety disorder is related to fear of scrutiny or evaluation in social situations and can lead to substance abuse as a coping mechanism.
• 🌟 The US has a higher prevalence of social anxiety disorder compared to European countries, with no significant difference in diagnosis rates between males and females.
• 😨 Panic disorder is characterized by unpredictable panic attacks, which are intense episodes of fear or terror without a specific trigger.
• 🏙️ Agoraphobia is a specific phobia marked by avoidance of situations where escape or assistance might be difficult, often comorbid with panic disorder.
• 🌐 Generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by ever-present anxiety across a broad range of situations, leading to irritability, difficulty concentrating, and sleep disturbances.
• 👶 Separation anxiety disorder involves persistent and excessive fear when separated from home or loved ones, and can be diagnosed if it lasts for an extended duration or is developmentally inappropriate.
• 📈 The prevalence of anxiety disorders varies, with specific phobias being the most common, and generalized anxiety disorder and separation anxiety disorder being less prevalent but still significant.

Q & A

What is the primary symptom of a specific phobia?

The primary symptom of a specific phobia is an irrational fear of a specific object or situation, which leads to an intense panic reaction when confronted with the feared object or situation.

How does the preparedness theory explain the prevalence of certain phobias?

The preparedness theory suggests that there is an evolutionary advantage in learning certain associations more easily, such as fearing potentially dangerous things like snakes or spiders, rather than less dangerous animals like cats or puppies.

What is the estimated 12-month prevalence of specific phobias, and is there a gender difference?

The estimated 12-month prevalence of specific phobias is about 7 to 9 percent, and they are twice as common in women compared to men.

What is the difference between a rational fear and an irrational fear in the context of specific phobias?

A rational fear is a response to an actual threat or danger, like panicking when encountering a rattlesnake. An irrational fear, characteristic of specific phobias, is an intense panic reaction to something that poses no real danger, such as seeing an image of a snake.

What is social anxiety disorder, and how is it related to substance abuse?

Social anxiety disorder is characterized by anxiety related to situations involving potential scrutiny or evaluation. It is related to substance abuse as individuals may use substances like alcohol to cope with their anxiety, which can lead to substance abuse problems.

What is the prevalence of social anxiety disorder in the US compared to European countries?

The prevalence of social anxiety disorder in the US is about 7%, which is considerably higher than the median prevalence of around 2.3 percent in European countries.

What are panic attacks, and how do they relate to panic disorder?

Panic attacks are sudden episodes of intense fear or terror that occur unpredictably and are not triggered by a specific object or situation. Panic disorder is characterized by the occurrence of these panic attacks.

How does agoraphobia differ from other anxiety disorders?

Agoraphobia is characterized by the avoidance of situations where the person feels they would have difficulty escaping or receiving assistance if needed, such as public spaces or crowded places. It often co-occurs with panic disorder.

What is the estimated prevalence of agoraphobia, and is there a gender difference in its occurrence?

The estimated prevalence of agoraphobia is about 1.7 percent, and it is about twice as common in women compared to men.

How is generalized anxiety disorder different from other anxiety disorders discussed in the script?

Generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by ever-present anxiety that occurs in a broad range of situations, unlike other anxiety disorders which have specific triggers or episodes.

What is separation anxiety, and how does it differ from normal anxiety in children?

Separation anxiety is a persistent and excessive fear when separated from home or loved ones. It differs from normal child anxiety in that it either lasts longer than expected or occurs at a developmentally inappropriate age.

What are the estimated prevalence rates of separation anxiety in infants, adolescents, and adults?

The estimated prevalence of separation anxiety is about 4% in infants, 1.6% in adolescents, and 0.9-1.9% in adults.

Outlines

00:00

🐍 Specific Phobias: Irrational Fears Explained

Michael Corayer discusses specific phobias, which are characterized by an irrational fear of specific objects or situations, such as snakes or enclosed spaces. These phobias can trigger intense panic reactions, including elevated heart rate, sweating, and difficulty breathing, even in the absence of real danger. The prevalence of specific phobias is about 7 to 9 percent, with a higher incidence in women and adolescents. The video also touches on the preparedness theory, suggesting an evolutionary advantage for certain fears, and the common use of Greek terms to describe specific phobias, like arachnophobia (fear of spiders) and claustrophobia (fear of enclosed spaces).

05:04

🤝 Social Anxiety Disorder: Fear of Social Evaluation

The video segment delves into social anxiety disorder, which involves anxiety related to situations that may lead to scrutiny or evaluation, such as public speaking or social gatherings. This disorder is associated with substance abuse as a coping mechanism, leading to potential dual diagnoses. The prevalence in the US is noted at about 7%, which is higher compared to European countries with a median prevalence of 2.3%. Onset typically occurs between ages 8 and 15, with no significant gender difference in diagnosis rates.

😨 Panic Disorder: Unpredictable Episodes of Intense Fear

Panic disorder is characterized by sudden, intense episodes of fear or terror known as panic attacks, which occur unpredictably and without a specific trigger. These attacks can happen at regular intervals or in rapid succession. The video highlights that panic disorder has a prevalence of about 2 to 3 percent, with women being twice as likely to be affected as men. It also mentions that agoraphobia, a specific phobia with its own diagnostic label, is often comorbid with panic disorder, leading to avoidance of public spaces due to fear of not being able to escape or receive help during a panic attack.

🏠 Agoraphobia: Fear of Situations with Limited Escape

Agoraphobia is explained as the fear of situations where escape might be difficult or help might not be readily available, such as open fields, crowded places, or public transportation. People with agoraphobia tend to avoid these situations and may confine themselves to safe spaces to avoid anxiety. The video notes a comorbidity with panic disorder, as panic attacks in public spaces can lead to agoraphobic behavior. The prevalence of agoraphobia is about 1.7 percent, with a higher incidence in women, and it typically begins in late adolescence or early adulthood.

🔁 Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Constant Worry and Nervousness

Generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by ever-present anxiety that occurs across a broad range of situations, unlike other anxiety disorders that have specific triggers. People with this disorder may constantly worry about the health or safety of loved ones or feel nervous at work, leading to irritability, difficulty concentrating, sleep disturbances, and fatigue. The prevalence in adolescents is about 0.9%, and in adults, it's higher at 2.9%. The disorder is slightly more common in females, but in males, it's more likely to be comorbid with substance abuse as a means of self-medicating anxiety.

👶 Separation Anxiety: Excessive Fear of Parting from Home or Loved Ones

Separation anxiety disorder is described as a persistent and excessive fear when separated from home or attachment figures, which is developmentally inappropriate or prolonged. It's common for infants to experience temporary anxiety when separated from their caregivers, but in separation anxiety, this fear is either long-lasting or inappropriate for the child's age. The disorder can lead to impairment in social, academic, or occupational functioning. The video provides prevalence rates: about 4% in infants, 1.6% in adolescents, and 0.9-1.9% in adults.

Keywords

💡Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders are a group of mental health conditions characterized by excessive and persistent anxiety or fear that interferes with daily functioning. In the video, anxiety disorders are the central theme, with specific types such as specific phobias, social anxiety disorder, and panic disorder being discussed. The script explains how these disorders manifest and their impact on individuals' lives.

💡Specific Phobias

Specific phobias refer to an irrational fear of a particular object or situation, such as snakes or enclosed spaces. The video script provides examples of how individuals with specific phobias may experience intense panic reactions in the presence of their feared object or situation, even if there is no actual danger, highlighting the irrational nature of these fears.

💡Preparedness Theory

Preparedness theory suggests that humans are evolutionarily predisposed to develop fears more easily for certain stimuli that were potentially dangerous in our evolutionary past, like snakes or spiders. The video script connects this theory to the prevalence of specific phobias, explaining why some phobias are more common than others.

💡Social Anxiety Disorder

Social anxiety disorder is characterized by a persistent fear of social situations due to a fear of scrutiny or negative evaluation. The video discusses how this disorder can lead to substance abuse as a coping mechanism, illustrating the complex relationship between mental health and other behaviors.

💡Panic Disorder

Panic disorder is defined by the occurrence of sudden and intense episodes of fear or terror, known as panic attacks, without a specific trigger. The video script explains that these attacks can be unpredictable and occur in intervals, affecting the individual's ability to function normally.

💡Agoraphobia

Agoraphobia is a specific phobia characterized by a fear of situations where escape might be difficult or help might not be available if things go wrong, such as being in open spaces or crowded areas. The video script relates agoraphobia to panic disorder, noting that a panic attack in a public place might lead to agoraphobic avoidance behavior.

💡Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Generalized anxiety disorder is marked by constant and excessive worry about various aspects of life, rather than being triggered by specific situations. The video script describes how this constant state of anxiety can lead to irritability, difficulty concentrating, and sleep disturbances, affecting the individual's overall well-being.

💡Separation Anxiety

Separation anxiety involves excessive fear and distress when separated from home or loved ones. The video script notes that while some level of anxiety in these situations is normal, especially in infants, separation anxiety is characterized by the anxiety being either developmentally inappropriate or lasting longer than expected.

💡DSM-5

The DSM-5, or the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, is a key reference work in the field of mental health for the classification of mental disorders. The video script uses the DSM-5 as a framework for discussing the various anxiety disorders and their diagnostic criteria.

💡Comorbidity

Comorbidity refers to the co-occurrence of two or more disorders in an individual. The video script mentions comorbidity in the context of anxiety disorders, such as how panic disorder can lead to agoraphobia or how generalized anxiety disorder might be associated with substance abuse, emphasizing the complexity of mental health conditions.

💡Prevalence

Prevalence in the context of the video refers to the proportion of a population that has a particular disease or condition at a given time. The script provides prevalence rates for various anxiety disorders, such as specific phobias, social anxiety disorder, and panic disorder, to give an idea of how common these conditions are within the population.

Highlights

Anxiety disorders are characterized by anxiety, panic, or excessive fear as a primary symptom.

Specific phobias involve an irrational fear of a specific object or situation, such as snakes or enclosed spaces.

In specific phobias, the fear is irrational, meaning there's no actual threat or danger present.

Preparedness theory suggests an evolutionary advantage for learning certain fear associations more easily, like snakes or spiders.

The 12-month prevalence for specific phobias is about 7 to 9 percent, being twice as common in women.

Social anxiety disorder is related to fear of scrutiny or evaluation in social situations, often associated with substance abuse as a coping mechanism.

The prevalence of social anxiety disorder in the US is about 7%, higher than the median prevalence in European countries.

Panic disorder is characterized by unpredictable panic attacks, with a prevalence of about 2 to 3 percent.

Agoraphobia involves avoidance of situations where escape or assistance might be difficult, often comorbid with panic disorder.

Generalized anxiety disorder is marked by ever-present anxiety across a broad range of situations, with a prevalence of about 0.9% in adolescents and 2.9% in adults.

Separation anxiety is characterized by persistent fear when separated from home or loved ones, with different prevalence rates across age groups.

Anxiety disorders can lead to impairment in social, academic, or occupational functioning.

The video provides a comprehensive overview of anxiety disorders, their symptoms, and prevalence rates.

The speaker encourages viewers to like and subscribe for more educational content on psychological topics.

Transcripts

Hi, I'm Michael Corayer and this is Psych Exam  Review. In this video we're going to talk about  

some disorders that fall into the category  of anxiety disorders in the DSM-5. Now it's  

worth noting that there are other disorders  in other categories that still have anxiety  

as a symptom but in the case of these anxiety  disorders anxiety, panic, or excessive fear is  

a characteristic symptom. So we'll start with  specific phobias and in a specific phobia a  

person has an irrational fear of a specific object  or a specific situation. So that object might be  

something like snakes or that situation, it could  be something like being in an enclosed space like  

an elevator. Now in this specific situation  or in the presence of this specific object,  

the person will have an intense panic reaction.  I mean they'll having elevated heart rate,  

they'll be sweating, and they'll have difficulty  breathing. Now it's important to note that this  

is an irrational fear and what that means is that  there's no actual threat or danger. So if you're  

hiking and you come across a rattlesnake, you  might have this intense panic reaction but in that  

case that would be considered to be a rational  fear. Whereas somebody with a specific phobia has  

an irrational fear because they might have that  same intense panic reaction to just seeing an  

image of a snake, or seeing a snake in a movie,  where there's no real danger present. And it is  

more common for us to see specific phobias for  things like snakes, spiders, and other insects  

rather than for things like cats, or puppies ,  and this relates to what's called preparedness  

theory. This suggests that there would be an  evolutionary advantage for us to learn certain  

associations more easily than others. So it  makes more sense to have a fear reaction to  

things that are potentially dangerous like snakes  or spiders rather than things that are probably  

not so dangerous and so we could think of this  perhaps explaining why certain types of phobias  

are more common than others. Now the estimated  12-month prevalence for specific phobias is  

about 7 to 9 percent and they're twice as common  in women compared to men. And the prevalence is  

highest amongst people who are about ages 13  to 16 with an estimated prevalence about 16%  

and then considerably lower for children, at about  5% or for adults at about 3 to 5%. Now you might  

see the use of Greek terms to refer to specific  phobias; so maybe you've heard of arachnophobia,  

which would be a fear of spiders, or  claustrophobia which would be a fear of enclosed  

spaces and it's worth noting that psychiatrists  don't actually use these terms. You can create  

these terms just by taking the Greek word for  whatever these specific phobias are and adding  

phobia to it but in the diagnosis the person would  just receive a diagnosis of a specific phobia.  

And if you want you can go to phobialist.com  where you can find all these different Greek  

terms and you can find specific phobia terms like  coulrophobia or something like fear of clowns. But  

of course these are not actually found in the  DSM-5. Okay another anxiety disorder we have  

is social anxiety disorder and this refers to  anxiety related to situations that involve the  

potential for threat of scrutiny or evaluation or  the anticipation of those situations. So having  

to make a speech in public would be a situation  where you might feel this threat of evaluation or  

just a social gathering might carry this threat.  And this social anxiety disorder is associated  

with substance abuse and this is often seen as a  means of coping. So somebody drinks alcohol as a  

means of trying to reduce their anxiety before  certain social situations, this could lead them  

to the abuse of alcohol and so they might  get a diagnosis of a substance abuse problem  

and of social anxiety disorder. The prevalence of  social anxiety disorder is about 7% in the US and  

this is considerably higher than other places. The  median prevalence for European countries is around  

2.3 percent and the onset age for social anxiety  disorder is usually between ages 8 and 15 and in  

this case we don't see any real difference between  the diagnosis rates for males or females. Next we  

have panic disorder and the main characteristic  symptom of panic disorder is the occurrence of  

what are called "panic attacks" and these are  sudden episodes of intense fear or terror, these  

intense panic reactions. But in this case they're  not happening because of a specific trigger like  

a specific object or a specific situation. They  occur unpredictably a person may suddenly have  

this panic attack, intense fear, and they won't  necessarily know why it's occurring. And these  

attacks can occur at fairly regular intervals like  maybe once every week or two or they can occur  

in rapid succession perhaps daily but then with  breaks of several months with no panic attacks.  

The prevalence of panic disorder is about 2 to  3 percent and it's twice as common in women than  

men. Now the next anxiety disorder we have is  a specific phobia that has its own diagnostic  

label and this is agoraphobia and so agora is the  Greek term for "marketplace" or "public square"  

and so you'll sometimes see this translated as  fear of the marketplace or fear of open spaces  

or something like that, but what it refers to is  avoidance of situations where the person feels  

they'd have difficulty escaping or receiving  assistance if they needed it and so that could  

be something like fields or parking lots or it  could be crowded situations like public transport  

or sports stadium or something like that. And  so the person will avoid those situations;  

they withdraw to places where they feel safe they  feel that they could escape or receive assistance  

if necessary. Now there's comorbidity here with  panic disorder and part of the reason for this  

is that people might have a panic attack in a  public space and as a result they now have anxiety  

associated with that; they're worried that they'll  have another panic attack in a situation where  

will be hard for them to get help and so it's  fairly common to see diagnoses of panic disorder,  

the person's having panic attacks, and as a result  of these panic attacks they begin to withdraw  

from certain situations and in extreme cases they  may stay in their home or apartment for extended  

periods of time and feel that they have too much  anxiety to go anywhere else. Now the prevalence  

for agoraphobia is about 1.7 percent and like  several other anxiety disorders it's about twice  

as common in women compared to men and the onset  generally occurs in late adolescence or early  

adulthood. All right, next we have generalized  anxiety disorder and the previous disorders that  

we've looked at have had these intense episodes  of fear or anxiety right whether it's a panic  

attack or in the presence of a specific object  but in generalized anxiety disorder the anxiety  

is ever-present and it happens in a broad range  of situations. So people feel continuous wary,  

perhaps they are constantly feeling worried about  the health or safety of their family members,  

or they experience ever-present nervousness maybe  at work, and as a result of this constant worry  

and nervousness they often are irritable.  They'll have difficulty concentrating,  

they often have a sleep disturbance, and as  you'll see in future videos sleep disturbance  

is common in a broad range of mental disorders.  And they also experience fatigue as a result of  

being constantly on edge. Now the prevalence  of generalized anxiety disorders about 0.9%  

in adolescents and it's been higher in adults  about 2.9% and generalized anxiety disorder is  

slightly more common in females than males but  not much. But in males it's more likely to be  

comorbid with a substance abuse problem. So as  we saw people might be self-medicating using  

something like alcohol in an attempt to reduce  their feelings of anxiety, and it seems that  

males are more likely to do that in females in  the case of generalized anxiety disorder. Okay  

and lastly we have separation anxiety and so  this refers to a persistent and excessive fear  

when separated from home or from loved ones. Now  it is common for there to be temporary anxiety in  

these situations and this is especially true in  infants, so when infants are separated from their  

mom or their primary caregiver then they often  experience anxiety but this usually doesn't last  

particularly long and so in the case of separation  anxiety this anxiety occurs but it's considered  

to be either of an extended duration or what's  called "developmentally inappropriate". And so  

this might be children who are past the age  where they should have this level of anxiety  

when separated from their mother and yet they're  still experiencing it. And so if this lasts for  

4 weeks in children or 6 months in adults then it  might warrant a diagnosis of separation anxiety.  

And this anxiety leads to impairment of social,  academic, or occupational functioning and the  

estimated prevalence of this separation anxiety  is about 4% in infants about 1.6% in adolescents,  

and 0.9-1.9% in adults. Okay so those  are some examples of anxiety disorders  

and some details about their symptoms and  prevalence. I hope you found this helpful,  

if so, please like the video and subscribe  to the channel for more. Thanks for watching!