Understanding Anxiety Disorders: A Guide to DSM Criteria

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, or DSM, is an American Psychiatric Association publication that outlines criteria for determining a number of mental disorders, including those related to excessive anxiety. As of November 2009, DSM was in its fourth edition and offered diagnostic criteria for several anxiety disorders.

Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)

• Those who have a persistent fear about being judged in social situations that inhibits their normal functioning for at least six months may have social anxiety disorder, according to DSM-IV.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

• Someone who suffers from continuous anxiety and chronic worry over both everyday and stressful situations likely has generalized anxiety disorder, according to DSM-IV.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

• People who experienced a traumatic event such as war, an accident or crime and experience flashbacks, sleeping problems and anxiety in the face of similar situations may have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), according to DSM-IV.

Panic Disorder

• A specific and intense period of physical and emotional discomfort, including symptoms such as fear of impending doom, sweating and dizziness likely indicates a panic attack and possible panic disorder, according to DSM-IV.

Specific Phobia

• Those who have a clearly defined and expressed fear and anxiety-related reactions to specific situations (such as driving, having blood drawn or certain animals) may have a specific phobia, according to DSM-IV.