Which category includes mental health conditions such as generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder?

Which category includes mental health conditions such as generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder?

• A. Mood Disorders
• B. Personality Disorders
• C. Somatic Disorders
• D. Anxiety Disorders

Answer: (D)

Anxiety disorders are marked by excessive fear or worry and related physical and behavioral symptoms. Generalized anxiety disorder involves chronic, pervasive worry across many areas of life, with symptoms like restlessness, fatigue, muscle tension, and sleep disturbance. Panic disorder centers on recurrent, unexpected panic attacks—intense surge of fear with physical symptoms such as a racing heart, sweating, trembling—and ongoing worry about having more attacks or avoiding situations to prevent them. These core features place both conditions squarely in the Anxiety Disorders category, rather than in mood disorders (which focus on mood disturbances like depression or mania), somatic disorders (which emphasize physical symptoms with unclear medical causes), or personality disorders (characterized by enduring maladaptive patterns of behavior and inner experience).

Anxiety disorders are marked by excessive fear or worry and related physical and behavioral symptoms. Generalized anxiety disorder involves chronic, pervasive worry across many areas of life, with symptoms like restlessness, fatigue, muscle tension, and sleep disturbance. Panic disorder centers on recurrent, unexpected panic attacks—intense surge of fear with physical symptoms such as a racing heart, sweating, trembling—and ongoing worry about having more attacks or avoiding situations to prevent them. These core features place both conditions squarely in the Anxiety Disorders category, rather than in mood disorders (which focus on mood disturbances like depression or mania), somatic disorders (which emphasize physical symptoms with unclear medical causes), or personality disorders (characterized by enduring maladaptive patterns of behavior and inner experience).