Phobic anxiety disorders

Etiology and Epidemiology in general[edit | edit source]

generally w > m (2:1 ratio)
in general very common ranging up to 10% of the population
Fear → exaggerated + irrational against a thing or situation
multifactorial: genetic, neurobiological factors (serotonin system, GABAergic transmission), environmental and developmental factors (stress, smoking, trauma)
secondary to medical conditions (hyperthyroidism, CHF, asthma...)

examples: heights (acrophobia), needles (blenophobia), situations (flying), spiders (arachnophobia), dogs (cynophobia) snakes, clowns... (arachn
Tx: CBT- Flooding, desensitization, alternatively: SSRIs or Benzos

Fear: Of other people, their criticism (and embarrassment), their perception, social situations → public speaking, going to a party, eating in public → can cause blushing, hand tremor, nausea, urgency
Two types: Performance-only SAD and Social anxiety disorder (everything)
typical: female, low self-esteem, does not want to look in the eye
Tx: SSRIs/SNRIs or clonazepam (long acting benzo, if no response to SSRIs)

Fear of situations, where it seems difficult to escape from or get help (Agora means market place, phobia is fear)
Clinical features
- ≥ 6 months, in ≥ 2 of the following 5 situations
- Using public transportation
- Being in open spaces
- Being in enclosed places
- Standing in line or being in a crowd
- Being outside of the home alone → those places are actively avoided
Therapy:
- CBT, SSRIs
associated with panic disorder, social phobia

Fear: unspecific fear, not focused on a single specific fear -> e.g. a woman in middle age lying in bed worrying about everything and anything ("I hope my children, will not become like me", "Oh I have to give a presentation tomorrow", "Oh no did I really lock the door?". "I hope John will like his birthday present")
Time: ≥ 6 months (i.e. prolonged, on most days)
Causes significant distress, exclusion of medications and substances
Restlessness and irritability, sleep disturbances and difficulty concentrating
Tx: CBT, SSRIs

F41 is other anxiety disorders, which includes panic disorder, GAD, mixed anxiety and depressive disorder