Which of the following is most frequently diagnosed anxiety disorder in the United States?

The five major types of anxiety disorders are:

  • Generalized Anxiety Disorder
    Generalized Anxiety Disorder, GAD, is an anxiety disorder characterized by chronic anxiety, exaggerated worry and tension, even when there is little or nothing to provoke it.
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
    Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, OCD, is an anxiety disorder and is characterized by recurrent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and/or repetitive behaviors (compulsions). Repetitive behaviors such as hand washing, counting, checking, or cleaning are often performed with the hope of preventing obsessive thoughts or making them go away. Performing these so-called "rituals," however, provides only temporary relief, and not performing them markedly increases anxiety.
  • Panic Disorder
    Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder and is characterized by unexpected and repeated episodes of intense fear accompanied by physical symptoms that may include chest pain, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, or abdominal distress.
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
    Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, PTSD, is an anxiety disorder that can develop after exposure to a terrifying event or ordeal in which grave physical harm occurred or was threatened. Traumatic events that may trigger PTSD include violent personal assaults, natural or human-caused disasters, accidents, or military combat.
  • Social Phobia (or Social Anxiety Disorder)
    Social Phobia, or Social Anxiety Disorder, is an anxiety disorder characterized by overwhelming anxiety and excessive self-consciousness in everyday social situations. Social phobia can be limited to only one type of situation - such as a fear of speaking in formal or informal situations, or eating or drinking in front of others - or, in its most severe form, may be so broad that a person experiences symptoms almost anytime they are around other people.

(National Institutes of Mental Health)

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Content last reviewed February 12, 2014

Mental health disorders, sometimes referred to as illnesses, affect the thoughts, moods and behaviors of those impacted. Although there is no clear link between genetics and the likelihood of having a mental health disorder, lifestyle factors such as diet and an individual’s activity can influence the onset of depression, anxiety and other conditions.

Mental health disorders may be occasional or chronic. And they affect an individual’s ability to relate to others and function day-to-day. While there are some steps to improve overall mental health, some disorders are more serious and may require professional intervention.

Which of the following is most frequently diagnosed anxiety disorder in the United States?

Below are the five most common mental health disorders in America and their related symptoms:

Anxiety Disorders

The most common category of mental health disorders in America impacts approximately 40 million adults 18 and older. Anxiety disorders cause people to experience distressing and frequent fear and apprehension. While many may experience these feelings, say, during a job interview or public speaking event (as that can be a normal response to stress), those with anxiety disorders feel them commonly and in typically non-stressful events. And bouts of anxiety can last up to six months or more at a time. “Anxiety” is actually a blanket term that includes a host of specific disorders, including:

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

Panic disorder

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Social anxiety disorder  

Mood Disorders

An estimated 1 in 10 adults suffers from some type of mood disorder. While it’s normal to experience mood swings from time to time, people with mood disorders live with more persistent and severe symptoms that can disrupt their daily lives. Depending on the specific disorder, people may experience an ongoing sad, anxious or “empty” mood; feelings of hopelessness; low self-esteem; excessive guilt; decreased energy and more. Therapy, antidepressants and self-care can help treat mood disorders. The most common mood disorders are:

Major depression

Dysthymia

Bipolar disorder

Substance-induced mood disorder    

Psychotic Disorders

Those suffering from psychotic disorders may be unable to know what’s real and what’s not. This group of mental disorders changes an individual’s sense of reality. Scientists believe that certain viruses, problems with how specific brain circuits work, extreme stress or trauma and some forms of drug abuse may play a role in the development of psychotic disorders. The most common psychotic disorders include:

Schizophrenia

Schizoaffective disorder

Brief psychotic disorder

Delusional disorder

Substance-induced psychotic disorder

Dementia

Although mistakenly thought to be a single disorder, dementia is a term that covers a wide range of specific mental conditions. Those suffering from dementia-related disorders may experience a decline in their cognitive abilities—often severe enough to impair daily life and independent function. While this category includes a host of conditions, Alzheimer’s disease accounts for 60 to 80% of dementia cases. It slowly destroys memory and thinking skills and, eventually, strips the ability to carry out the simplest tasks. Other forms of dementia take the form of:

Parkinson’s disease

Frontotemporal dementia

Huntington’s disease

Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome

Eating disorders

Eating disorders are about more than an individual’s relationship with food. They’re complex mental disorders that often require intervention from medical and psychological experts. These conditions cause unhealthy eating habits to develop, such as an obsession with food, body weight or body shape. In severe cases, eating disorders can have serious health consequences and may even result in death, if left untreated. Common symptoms include the severe restriction of food, food binges or purging behaviors, such as vomiting or over-exercising. The most common types of eating disorders include:

Anorexia nervosa

Bulimia nervosa

Binge eating disorder

Pica eating disorder

Rumination disorder

Conclusion

From help intervening with substance abuse challenges to managing depression and anxiety, Davis Behavioral Health is here to assist those in need. We can provide comfort and support to those experiencing anxiety, mood, psychotic and eating disorders. We have many trained, experienced and caring mental health professionals on staff. And we offer classes, ranging from managing emotions to mindfulness—along with many others that provide some with all the education needed to be self-sufficient in dealing with their mental health challenges.

What is the most frequently diagnosed anxiety disorder in the US?

Among all mental diseases, the anxiety disorders, including panic disorder with or without agoraphobia, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder (SAD), specific phobias, and separation anxiety disorder, are the most frequent.

Which anxiety disorder is most common?

Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) GAD is the most common type of anxiety disorder. The main symptom of GAD is excessive worrying about different activities and events. You may feel anxious a lot of the time if you have GAD.

What disorder do Americans report most frequently?

The National Alliance of Mental Health reports that one in five adults in America experiences a mental illness in their lifetime. Right now, nearly 10 million Americans are living with a serious mental disorder. The most common are anxiety disorders major depression and bipolar disorder.

What is the most common mental illness in the US?

Annual prevalence among U.S. adults, by condition:.
Major Depressive Episode: 8.4% (21 million people).
Schizophrenia: <1% (estimated 1.5 million people).
Bipolar Disorder: 2.8% (estimated 7 million people).
Anxiety Disorders: 19.1% (estimated 48 million people).