Types of Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders are not the same as temporary feelings of anxiety and nervousness. With an anxiety disorder, feelings of anxiety, panic, and fear can be overwhelming and interfere with your everyday life. Further, there is more than one type of anxiety disorder. Although the symptoms are similar, different types can have different triggers. It is important to get an accurate diagnosis so that a psychiatrist can recommend the correct treatment. Read on to explore the different forms of anxiety below.

Generalized anxiety disorder

Generalized anxiety disorder, also known as “GAD,” is characterized by excessive worry about a variety of topics, such as finances, health, relationships, and job security. While it is normal to worry about these things to some extent, people with GAD become consumed with worry. Symptoms include:

• Excessive worry
• Difficulty controlling their anxious feelings
• Easily startled, irritable, or always on edge
• Easily tired or fatigued
• Trouble concentrating or relaxing
• Unexplained headaches, stomachaches, etc.
• Insomnia

Social anxiety disorder

With a social anxiety disorder, or “social phobia,” everyday social situations can bring on intense feelings of anxiety and self-consciousness. Often, this is followed by feelings of embarrassment once the interaction is over. For instance, people with social phobia often avoid social situations, feel overwhelming anxiety when they do not avoid them, and can even experience physical symptoms such as:

• Trembling
• Dizziness
• Stomachache
• Blushing
• Sweating
• Increased heart rate

Most clients report experiencing these symptoms before going to parties, eating with others, dating, spending time with friends, ordering coffee or food at a restaurant, or even going to work or school. It can also be difficult to make eye contact or start conversations.

Panic disorder

A panic disorder is a type of anxiety disorder in which typical everyday situations set off a fight, flight, freeze, or fawn response. To be diagnosed with a panic disorder, a person must have had at least four or more panic attacks and are often worried about experiencing another one. Symptoms of a panic attack include but are not limited to:

• Sweating
• Trembling
• Shortness of breath
• Nausea
• Feeling as though one is “losing it” or dying
• Feeling disconnected from oneself or the world (dissociation)

Keep in mind that people without panic disorders can have panic attacks. Fortunately, a psychiatrist can treat and manage panic attacks in clients with and without panic disorder.