Anxiety refers to an emotional state of dread and apprehension, with or without an easily identifiable stressful situation (see Chapter 8). Fear refers to anxiety specifically tied to an object or situation, for example, fear of hospitalization. A phobia is an irrational fear of a usually harmless object or situation, such as cats (ailurophobia) or open spaces (agoraphobia). Panic refers to the intense anxiety experienced when one finds oneself suddenly thrust into a severely feared or dangerous situation, for example, waking up in a room engulfed in fire. Autonomic (usually sympathetic) arousal is usually associated with anxiety spectrum syndromes. Thus, there is often tachycardia, increased blood pressure, rapid breathing, sweating, dry mouth, gastrointestinal disturbance (diarrhea or constipation), and urinary frequency.
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Leigh, H. (2007). Common Reasons for Psychiatric Consultation. In: Handbook of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-69255-5_5
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