Anxiety disorders are defined as a class of disorders marked by:

Anxiety disorders are defined as a class of disorders marked by:

• A. Disorders marked by persistent sadness and low self-esteem
• B. Disorders marked by excessive apprehension and anxiety
• C. Disorders characterized solely by phobias
• D. Disorders involving mood instability with psychosis

Answer: (B)

Excessive apprehension and anxiety across situations that is difficult to control and interferes with daily functioning are the defining features of anxiety disorders. This means the worry or fear is out of proportion to the actual threat and persists over time, often with physical symptoms like restlessness, muscle tension, or sleep problems, and avoidance behaviors. This broad pattern covers the various conditions under anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety, panic, social anxiety, and phobias. The other descriptions don’t fit the overall category. Persistent sadness and low self-esteem point to depressive disorders. Mood instability with psychosis refers to mood disorders with psychotic features. Phobias are one type of anxiety disorder, but defining the whole class as “solely phobias” misses the broader range of excessive fear and worry that can occur in different contexts.

Excessive apprehension and anxiety across situations that is difficult to control and interferes with daily functioning are the defining features of anxiety disorders. This means the worry or fear is out of proportion to the actual threat and persists over time, often with physical symptoms like restlessness, muscle tension, or sleep problems, and avoidance behaviors. This broad pattern covers the various conditions under anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety, panic, social anxiety, and phobias.

The other descriptions don’t fit the overall category. Persistent sadness and low self-esteem point to depressive disorders. Mood instability with psychosis refers to mood disorders with psychotic features. Phobias are one type of anxiety disorder, but defining the whole class as “solely phobias” misses the broader range of excessive fear and worry that can occur in different contexts.