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Anxiety and fear-related disorders are characterized by excessive fear and anxiety and related
behavioural disturbances, with symptoms that are severe enough to result in significant distress or
significant impairment in personal, family, social, educational, occupational, or other important areas
of functioning. Fear and anxiety are closely related phenomena; fear represents a reaction to
perceived imminent threat in the present, whereas anxiety is more future-oriented, referring to
perceived anticipated threat. A key differentiating feature among the Anxiety and fear-related
disorders are disorder-specific foci of apprehension, that is, the stimulus or situation that triggers the
fear or anxiety. The clinical presentation of Anxiety and fear-related disorders typically includes
specific associated cognitions that can assist in differentiating among the disorders by clarifying the
focus of apprehension.
6B02 Agoraphobia
Agoraphobia is characterized by marked and excessive fear or anxiety that occurs
in response to multiple situations where escape might be difficult or help might not
be available, such as using public transportation, being in crowds, being outside the
home alone (e.g., in shops, theatres, standing in line). The individual is consistently
anxious about these situations due to a fear of specific negative outcomes (e.g.,
panic attacks, other incapacitating or embarrassing physical symptoms). The
situations are actively avoided, entered only under specific circumstances such as
in the presence of a trusted companion, or endured with intense fear or anxiety. The
symptoms persist for least several months, and are sufficiently severe to result in
significant distress or significant impairment in personal, family, social, educational,
occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
6B23 Hypochondriasis
Hypochondriasis is characterized by persistent preoccupation with or fear about the
possibility of having one or more serious, progressive or life-threatening diseases.
The preoccupation is associated with catastrophic misinterpretation of bodily signs
or symptoms, including normal or commonplace sensations, and is manifest either
in repetitive and excessive health-related behaviours or in maladaptive avoidance
behaviours related to health. The preoccupation or fear is not simply a reasonable
concern related to a specific context of the patient, and persists or reoccurs despite
appropriate medical evaluation and reassurance. The symptoms result in significant
distress or significant impairment in personal, family, social, educational,
occupational or other important areas of functioning.
Inclusions: Hypochondriacal neurosis
Nosophobia
Illness anxiety disorder
Exclusions: Body dysmorphic disorder (6B21)
Bodily distress disorder (6C20)
Fear of cancer (MG24.0)
6B25.0 Trichotillomania
Trichotillomania is characterized by recurrent pulling of one’s own hair leading to
significant hair loss, accompanied by unsuccessful attempts to decrease or stop the
behaviour. Hair pulling may occur from any region of the body in which hair grows
but the most common sites are the scalp, eyebrows, and eyelids. Hair pulling may
occur in brief episodes scattered throughout the day or in less frequent but more
sustained periods. The symptoms result in significant distress or significant
impairment in personal, family, social, educational, occupational or other important
areas of functioning.
Inclusions: Compulsive hair plucking
Exclusions: stereotyped movement disorder with hair-plucking (6A06)