There are five types of anxiety disorders: generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, agoraphobia, social anxiety disorder, and specific phobias. Generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by excessive worry and tension that are not triggered by a specific event or situation. Panic disorder is characterized by recurrent episodes of intense fear or terror that peak within minutes and are followed by physical symptoms such as sweating, heart palpitations, and shortness of breath. Agoraphobia is a fear of being in situations where escape might be difficult or embarrassing, or help might not be available in the event of a panic attack. Social anxiety disorder is characterized by extreme self-consciousness and fear of embarrassment in social situations. Specific phobias are irrational fears of objects or situations that pose no real danger.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health disorders in the United States. There are five different types of anxiety disorders: generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, agoraphobia, social anxiety disorder, and specific phobias. Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is characterized by excessive worry and tension that are not caused by any specific event or situation. People with GAD often feel like they are unable to control their worry and it interferes with their daily life. Panic Disorder is characterized by sudden and unexpected episodes of intense fear or terror that can last for several minutes. These episodes may occur at any time and can be very debilitating. Agoraphobia is a type of anxiety disorder that is characterized by a fear of being in situations where escape might be difficult or help would not be available if needed. Social Anxiety Disorder is characterized by a fear of social situations where one might be exposed to scrutiny or negative evaluation from others. People with social anxiety often avoid social situations altogether or else endure them with great distress. Specific Phobias are irrational fears of specific objects or situations that typically do not pose a real threat (e.g., flying, heights). People with specific phobias will go to great lengths to avoid their feared object or situation.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
People with OCD often have difficulty tolerating uncertainty or ambiguity. They may feel the need to control their environment in order to feel safe. In some cases, they may develop rigid rules and routines that they feel compelled to follow strictly.
OCD can be accompanied by other mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety disorders, body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), eating disorders, substance abuse disorders, etc. Treatment for OCD typically includes a combination of medication and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).
Panic Disorder
While the exact cause of panic disorder is unknown, it is believed to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors. People with panic disorder often have a family history of anxiety or other mental health disorders. They may also have experienced trauma or stressful life events that trigger their symptoms.
Symptoms of panic disorder can include physical reactions such as heart palpitations, sweating, trembling, shortness of breath, chest pain, and dizziness. Many people also experience psychological symptoms such as fear of losing control, feeling detached from reality, and intense anxiety about future attacks.
Panic attacks usually come on suddenly and without warning. They may be triggered by a specific event or situation (such as being in a crowded place), but often there is no clear trigger at all. Once someone has experienced a few panic attacks they may start to avoid situations that they think might trigger another attack (such as driving on the freeway). This avoidance can lead to significant interference in daily life and activities (such as work or school) and can make it very difficult to function normally.
There are several effective treatments for panic disorder including medication (antidepressants or anti-anxiety drugs) and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT helps people understand their thoughts and feelings about panic attacks so that they can better manage them when they occur. It also teaches effective coping techniques for dealing with the physical symptoms of an attack so that it does not escalate into a full-blown episode. Medication can be very helpful in reducing the frequency and intensity of panic attacks but should always be used in conjunction with CBT for the best results.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
PTSD is a type of anxiety disorder that can develop after someone has been through a traumatic event. Symptoms can include flashbacks, nightmares, and severe anxiety. PTSD can make it hard to continue with day-to-day activities.
traumatic event could be something like:
combat exposure
a natural disaster a serious accident or injury witnessing a death or violent event
Some people who go through traumatic events may have symptoms of PTSD for a few days or weeks afterwards. For others, the symptoms last much longer and become more intense. People with PTSD may avoid places, people, or activities that remind them of the trauma. They may also have trouble sleeping and feel irritable or on edge most of the time.
Social Phobia (or Social Anxiety Disorder)
Social Phobia, also known as Social Anxiety Disorder, is characterized by an intense fear of social situations. People with this disorder may avoid social situations altogether, or they may endure them with great discomfort. They may worry about being judged by others or about embarrassing themselves. Physical symptoms such as sweating, racing heart, and trembling are common in people with Social Phobia.
People with Social Phobia often recognize that their fear is unreasonable, but they feel powerless to overcome it. As a result, social phobia can have a profound impact on a person’s life. It can interfere with work, school, and personal relationships.
There is no single cause of social phobia. It is believed to be the result of a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Treatment for social phobia typically involves exposure therapy (gradually exposing oneself to the feared situation) and cognitive-behavioral therapy (changing the way one thinks about and responds to the situation).