Just experiencing anxiety symptoms does not mean that someone has an anxiety disorder. The American Psychological Association (APA) sets out diagnostic criteria for specific anxiety disorders in its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). This table summarizes the symptoms used to diagnose the most common anxiety disorders.[1]
| Disorder | Summary of symptoms |
|---|---|
| Generalized anxiety disorder | Excessive anxiety and worry which are difficult to control, which cause distress or difficulty functioning, and which are associated with at least three of the following symptoms: restlessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, tension, sleep disturbance. |
| Social anxiety disorder | Consistent, persistent, and disproportionate fear or anxiety around being judged by others in one or more social situations which results in intense distress or in difficulties functioning. |
| Specific phobia | A specific object or situation consistently and persistently provokes intense fear or anxiety out of proportion to the actual danger that results in intense distress or difficulties functioning. |
| Panic disorder | Recurrent, unexpected panic attacks, prompting worry or behavioural change. |
| Agoraphobia | Consistent, persistent, disproportionate fear and anxiety about being in two or more of the following specific situations: public transportation, open spaces, enclosed spaces, being in a crowd or a line, or being away from home alone. The fear and anxiety cause avoidant behaviour and distress/difficulty functioning. |
Adapted from: American Psychological Association. (2013) Anxiety Disorders. In Diagnostic And Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.)
For all of the above anxiety disorders, the diagnosis will only be made if the symptoms can't be better explained by the effects of a medication or drug, by another medical condition, or by another mental disorder.