Table 1
Simple classification of anxiety states
| Diagnosis | Worries |
|---|---|
| PTSD, post-traumatic stress disorder. | |
| Phobic | Afraid of specific situations, stimuli leading to avoidance of these |
| Panic | Recurrent attacks of severe anxiety in an unpredictable way |
| Generalised | Relatively free-floating anxiety not confined to specific situations or discrete attacks |
| Adjustment or PTSD | Shorter or longer term reactions to a specific stressor. PTSD characterised by characteristic reliving experiences with avoidance and mood and concentration problems |
| Somatoform | Includes persistent physical symptoms (somatisation) and persistent worry about illness (hypochondriasis). |
