Mental disorders are a leading cause of disease burden worldwide, with anxiety disorders being the second most influential contributor, after depressive disorders, to global disability-adjusted life-years. Anxiety disorders are characterized by anxious mood and, often, phobic avoidance, which result in extreme distress, functional impairment, or both. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Fifth Edition) (DSM-5) recognizes the following types of anxiety disorders likely to be seen in adults: generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, agoraphobia, specific phobias, substance/medication-induced anxiety disorder, and anxiety disorder due to another medical condition. The latter 2 instances of anxiety are caused by identifiable and, mostly, treatable sources and should be considered “rule-outs” before concluding that one of the other anxiety disorders is present.
Source: JAMA Online First