PsychRounds: The Psychiatry Podcast

Introduction to Anxiety Disorders

11 snips
Oct 8, 2025
Dive into the world of anxiety disorders as hosts explore their rising prevalence and the importance of differentiating between normal anxiety and disorders. Discover the various classifications like specific phobias and GAD, and how symptoms can overlap with other psychiatric conditions. Learn about the neuroanatomy of fear, serotonin's role, and how modern lifestyle contributes to anxiety. The discussion even touches on the evolutionary perspective, questioning whether anxiety is an adaptive trait or a product of modern life. Practical guidance on diagnosis wraps it up!
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INSIGHT

When Anxiety Crosses Into Disorder

  • Anxiety becomes a disorder when it is excessive, persistent, and causes functional impairment in life.
  • DSM requires duration (often ≥6 months) and noticeable disruption to classify an anxiety disorder.
ADVICE

Rule Out Medical And Substance Causes First

  • Always rule out medical and substance causes before diagnosing a primary anxiety disorder.
  • Check for hyperthyroidism, arrhythmias, stimulants, withdrawal states, and other reversible causes.
INSIGHT

Anxiety As A Non-Specific Symptom

  • Anxiety is heterogeneous and often secondary, making it 'the fever of psychiatry.'
  • High comorbidity with mood, substance, and ADHD means anxiety often signals other disorders.
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