Final answer:
Anxiety disorders are mental health conditions characterized by excessive and persistent fear and worry, different from occasional anxiety which is normal. They include OCD, PTSD, panic disorders, and phobias, affecting a substantial portion of the adult population in the U.S. The American Psychological Association's DSM is essential for diagnosing these disorders.
Step-by-step explanation:
Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders are characterized by excessive, persistent fear and apprehension, along with related disturbances in behavior. These are the most common mental disorders in the United States, affecting nearly 18 percent of U.S. adults annually and about 28 percent over their lifetimes. Unlike occasional feelings of anxiety which are a normal reaction to stress, anxiety disorders entail a state of worry and fearfulness that lasts for months. They encompass various conditions, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorders, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and both social and specific phobias.
The American Psychological Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, or DSM, is the primary guide for the diagnosis and classification of mental disorders, including anxiety disorders. It is meticulously updated with changing classifications and symptoms as new research becomes available. Anxiety disorders clearly differ from other mental health issues, such as personality disorders, which are an enduring and inflexible pattern of behavior leading to significant distress or impairment and are seen as abnormal by society.
According to various sources, such as Abramowitz & Siqueland (2013), Saxena, Bota, & Brody (2001), and data from the Anxiety and Depression Institute of America (2021), the prevalence and impact of anxiety disorders on individuals' quality of life is significant, and research continues to evolve in understanding their causes and treatments.