Types of Anxieties
The American Psychology Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, often referred to as the DSM-5, the authoritative guide for the diagnosis of mental disorders, categorizes the following conditions as anxiety disorders:
- Separation Anxiety Disorder
- Selective Mutism
- Specific Phobia
- Social Anxiety Disorder
- Panic Disorder
- Agoraphobia
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder
- Substance/Medication-Induced Anxiety Disorder
- Anxiety Disorder Due to Another Medical Condition
- Other Specified Anxiety Disorder
- Unspecified Anxiety Disorder
These are the terminologies used since 2022, with the publication of the DSM-5-TR. As with many subjects that cover different historical periods, the language surrounding them changes and evolves. Library headings are no different. Keep in mind, the further back you go in exploring your topic, the more outdated and potentially offensive terminology may be. Similarly, as you go backwards in time, exclusionary methodologies may prevent information on non-white, non-male populations.
Researching Anxieties and Their Histories
To get the best results in HOLLIS, you need to search using the cataloging language that HOLLIS recognizes. Harvard Library, like most academic libraries, using Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH). What does that mean to you? Your best results aren't going to come from searching like you would speak or type into a search engine.
Some suggested LCSH subject headings to help you gain more information on the history of your selected anxiety are listed below.
- anxiety - history
- anxiety disorders - history
- agoraphobia - history
- agoraphobia - social aspects
- social anxiety
- fear - social aspects
- anxiety, separation - psychology
- social anxiety disorder
- phobias -- United States
- anxiety - psychology
- fear & phobias
Not every category of anxiety disorder will have results if you add "- history." Don't get frustrated!
This is what was returned from a search for "anxiety disorders - history" (after I signed in!):
When you find an interesting resource, it's a great opportunity to look at the Subjects listed for the resource, gather other terminology, or connect to similarly catalogued items.
You may see a second list of subjects, called Med. Subject. To perform an advanced search on this field, select "Subject, MeSH" and then type in your subject.
You can also search for specific words or phrases you are researching, like "fear of heights" or "taphophobia."
