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Anxiety disorders can have a profound effect on someone’s life, disrupting day-to-day activities, impacting relationships, and reducing overall quality of life. Medical professionals rely on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) to accurately diagnose mental health disorders and create treatment plans that work. With the release of the most recent version of the DSM-5 in May 2013, there have been several changes to the diagnosis and treatment of anxiety disorders. It is important to understand how the updates in the DSM-5 affect people with anxiety disorders.
Understanding the Changes to DSM-5 Anxiety Diagnoses
DSM-5 has increased the category of anxiety disorders from seven to 10, and for the first time, it has included a chapter about Trauma- and Stress-related Disorders. The six disorders within the Trauma- and Stress-related Disorders chapter are Adjustment Disorder, Reactive Attachment Disorder, Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, Acute Stress Disorder, and Other Specified Trauma- and Stressor-related Disorder. It is important to note that DSM-5 also changed the name of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder to Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders, and includes Disorders, Hoarding Disorder, Body Dysmorphic Disorder, and Excoriation Disorder.
Examining the Impact of DSM-5 Updates on Anxiety Sufferers
These updates present a number of positive changes to individuals with all types of anxiety disorders. The DSM-5 increases access to care by making it easier to diagnose different types of anxiety disorders, and this can help individuals receive the treatment and care that they need. It also acknowledges the fact that different types of anxiety disorders are related and can be a part of the same spectrum of anxiety disorders, which can allow for more tailored treatments.
What It Means for Patients to Live With Anxiety Disorders
Living with an anxiety disorder can be difficult, and the DSM-5 updates can help medical professionals better understand the full scope of the disorder, and how treatments can be tailored to patients’ individual needs. The changes in the DSM-5 can also help patients better understand their disorder, and the impact it has on their lives. Knowing the level of severity of the disorder, and the associated risks, can help an individual make more informed decisions about their care and treatment.
What Phobia Changes Mean for Treatment and Care
The DSM-5 also made changes to the diagnosis and treatment of phobias. It now includes more specific criteria for diagnosing phobias and also recognizes the impact of comorbidity (i.e., the presence of more than one disorder). This can help medical professionals identify and treat phobias that may be a symptom of another disorder. It can also help individuals with phobias understand their disorder more thoroughly and know the treatments that are available to them.
How DSM-5 Updates Change Anxiety Disorder Management
The DSM-5 updates help make diagnosis and treatment of anxiety disorders easier and more tailored to the individual. It is important for medical professionals to be aware of the changes and how they can impact the diagnosis and treatment of anxiety disorders. With the new DSM-5 criteria, medical professionals can better diagnose and treat anxiety disorders, allowing individuals to lead more productive and fulfilling lives.
The changes to the DSM-5 have the potential to make a positive impact on the lives of individuals with anxiety disorders. The new criteria can help medical professionals better diagnose and treat individuals, and provide more tailored treatments that meet individual needs. The DSM-5 updates are a step in the right direction as they can help individuals with anxiety disorders access the care they need, and lead more fulfilling lives.
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- Hofmann, Stefan G. An Overview of and Introduction to Panic Disorder and Agoraphobia. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Science and Practice 17, no. 4 (2010): 357-375.
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