Anxiety Disorder Due to Another Medical Condition

About Anxiety Disorder Due to Another Medical Condition

Anxiety disorder due to another medical condition is diagnosed when prominent anxiety or panic attacks are judged to be the direct physiological result of a general medical condition rather than a psychological reaction to being ill. Examples of conditions that can produce anxiety symptoms include thyroid disorders, certain heart and lung conditions, some hormonal tumors, and neurological disorders. Clinicians look for evidence from the history, examination or tests that link the anxiety to the medical problem, for example anxiety that begins or worsens along with the illness and improves when it is treated. The diagnosis highlights why a medical evaluation is an important part of assessing new anxiety, particularly when it appears later in life or with unusual physical features. Management focuses on treating the underlying condition while also addressing the anxiety directly through psychotherapy or, where appropriate, medication.