Anxiety Disorders

This course offers a foundational exploration of anxiety disorders, focusing on their origins, classifications, and assessment. Students will develop a deep understanding of the biological, psychological, and social underpinnings of anxiety, examining how anxiety functions as both a normal adaptive response and, when dysregulated, a debilitating clinical condition.

The course reviews the major types of anxiety disorders, including Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Panic Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, Specific Phobias, and Separation Anxiety Disorder, as defined by DSM-5 and ICD-11 diagnostic criteria. Emphasis will be placed on differentiating anxiety disorders from normative worry and stress, and on recognizing developmental, cultural, and contextual variations in presentation.

Students will also gain practical skills in assessment techniques, including clinical interviewing, standardized self-report measures, behavioral observation, and differential diagnosis. Case studies and real-world examples will be used to enhance diagnostic reasoning and early identification of anxiety-related concerns.

By the end of the course, you will be able to:

• Understand the foundational theories and mechanisms underlying anxiety.
• Identify and differentiate among major types of anxiety disorders.
• Recognize the signs and symptoms of anxiety across developmental stages and cultural contexts.
• Apply appropriate assessment tools and techniques to evaluate anxiety symptoms.