Anxiety disorders

This article provides an overview of advances in the phenomenology, classification, neurobiology, and therapy of the major anxiety disorders (generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, simple phobia, and social anxiety disorder). A number of well-validated symptom severity measures are available for use in clinical and research assessments and have contributed to evidence-based outcome measures for treatment and management of anxiety symptoms. Epidemiological and clinical surveys have demonstrated that the anxiety disorders are among the most prevalent, disabling, and costly of the psychiatric disorders. They are characterized by a chronic and persistent course, frequent comorbidity with other disorders such as depressive disorders and substance abuse, and significant morbidity in terms of vocational and interpersonal functioning. Significant progress in our research methodologies utilizing basic neuroscience and clinical research have contributed to a greater understanding of the neuroanatomy, neurocircuitry, and functional and genomic basis for the different anxiety disorders. Further progress in our understanding of the neurobiology of the anxiety disorders should hopefully shed light on better therapeutic interventions for this highly debilitating class of disorders.