Types of Anxiety Disorders

The Many Types Of Anxiety Disorders

Millions of Americans suffer from one type of anxiety disorder or another. They all share similar symptoms and affect people’s lives in very real ways. The only real difference between them is the source of the anxiety itself – figuring out what causes the anxiety is key to diagnosing the correct anxiety disorder a person has.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Someone suffering from generalized anxiety disorder often worries or gets scared over things they shouldn’t get upset about. They may not even realize they have a type of anxiety disorder at all because they just assume that everyone else worries as much as they do. They worry about all the things everyone worries about: money, health, relationships, etc. but for some reason, someone with GAD immediately assumes the worst is going to happen. They experience physical aches and pains, sleep poorly or not at all, and are exhausted all the time. Their muscles are tense or ache, and they often experience stomach problems like nausea. Irritability and difficulty concentrating are also common symptoms of this type of anxiety disorder.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a type of anxiety disorder characterized by obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors that are so prevalent that they greatly affect a person’s everyday life. Even though they know that the thoughts and behaviors are irrational, they can’t resist them. People with obsessive-compulsive fall into one of five categories of behavior: washers are terrified of becoming contaminated with germs and often wash their hands or clean compulsively; checkers repeatedly check appliances to make sure they’re turned off.

Doubters and sinners are afraid that if everything in their life isn’t perfect, something terrible will happen to them. Counters and arrangers are obsessed with symmetry and order. They may be attracted to certain numbers, colors or arrangements. Lastly, hoarders are terrified that something bad will happen if they throw anything out.

Panic Attacks And Panic Disorder

The type of anxiety disorder known as panic disorder (or sometimes anxiety and panic disorder) is characterized by panic attacks. These attacks often happen without warning and can even be triggered by something unknown. Symptoms of the attacks include shortness of breath, heart palpitations, trembling, sweating, nausea and lightheadedness. The attacks rarely last more than an hour, and most are less than ten minutes long.

Phobias

A phobia is a type of anxiety disorder associated with an irrational fear. Everyone has a few of those, but for some people, they are more severe. The most common types are animal phobias (such as fear of spiders or snakes), natural environment phobias (such as a fear of heights or storms) and situational phobias (such as fear of being enclosed in a small space, fear of flying, or fear of speaking in public).

Social Anxiety

Someone suffering from the type of anxiety disorder known as social anxiety disorder experiences intense fear of social situations that are unfamiliar, such as speaking to a group of strangers in a public place. Sure, everyone gets butterflies in their stomach, but for people suffering from this disorder, the fear is so intense that they literally can’t do it. All sorts of situations are overly stressful for social anxiety sufferers: meeting new people, being called on in class, speaking with strangers, or even just being watched while doing something.

Is It Treatable?

People suffering from any type of anxiety disorder may wonder if they will ever be able to live a life free of obsessive fear and worrying, but in reality, every type of anxiety disorder is treatable with a combination of behavioral therapy and, if necessary, medication. Lots of progress has been made in helping people manage their symptoms, and it’s possible for them to overcome their worries and get on with their lives.

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