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Types of Anxiety Disorders
By Deanne Repich photo by John Lindsey
Types Anxiety Disorders
In reviewing the anxiety types, author and educator Deanne Repich lists the symptoms of panic and panic attacks, covers phobias and GAD anxiety, demonstrates the signs of social anxiety and explores symptoms of PTSD and OCD.
Types of Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders are real, and above all very treatable. There are six types of anxiety disorders: panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, simple phobias, social anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and obsessive compulsive disorder:
Panic Disorder
"All of a sudden I felt dizzy, my legs gave out on me, and I couldn't catch a breath. It felt like someone was choking me. I could feel my heart was beating too fast and I was terrified I was dying. I knew I had to get away before I lost it."
Panic Attacks:
A panic attack is an intense episode of anxiety and fear that is accompanied by overwhelming physical and mental symptoms. Panic attack symptoms rise to a peak and then subside. A panic attack can last anywhere from a few minutes (more common) to several hours (rare). Some people experience panic attack several times a day, while others only a few times a year.
Symptoms of Panic
Panic attack symptoms include:
- rapid heartbeat, heart palpitations or rapid pulse rate
- sweating
- trembling, shaking, or spinning sensations
- dizziness, feeling faint, or intense fatigue
- feeling detached from yourself or feelings of unreality
- nausea, constipation, or abdominal discomfort
- chills or hot flashes
- feelings of tingling or numbness
- feelings of choking or suffocation
- fear of dying
- fear of going crazy
- chest pain
- shortness of breath
- fear of losing control
- obsessive, racing, or "what-if" thoughts
- exaggerated anxious thoughts
Panic Disorder:
A panic disorder is diagnosed as having two or more panic attacks followed by at least one month of worry over having another attack. Many people that suffer from panic disorder are convinced that they suffer from an undiagnosed illness, even after medical tests come back negative.
Many sufferers spend a lot of time worrying about having another panic attack. They avoid situations that might trigger the panic attacks or refuse to go places where they feel out of control. For this reason, panic disorder often coincides with agoraphobia.
GAD ~ Anxiety
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
"I've always been a worrier. I can't seem to stop worrying about the kids, my job, the finances. I tell myself everything's OK, but I keep thinking about all the terrible things that could happen."
Here are common generalized anxiety symptoms:
- assuming the worst even though there is no reason to expect it
- exaggerated anxious thoughts
- obsessive, racing, or "what-if" thoughts
- feeling unable to control worry
- fatigue
- headaches
- nausea or abdominal distress
- trembling
- difficulty swallowing
- nervousness
- irritability
- difficulty sleeping
- muscle tension/difficulty relaxing
Generalized anxiety (GAD) diagnosed as having exaggerated, uncontrollable worry about daily activities most days for a period of six months or more. This worry interferes with daily functioning.
Generalized anxiety disorder can occur with depression or other types of anxiety disorders.
Simple Phobias
"I'm terrified of dogs. I was bit by a dog as a child, and now I avoid them at all costs. When I see a dog I start sweating, trembling, and feel like the world is coming to an end. I know my fear is irrational, but I can't control it."
Phobia ~ Symptoms
Phobias are overwhelming, irrational fears of a specific situation or object that poses no real danger. A phobia is diagnosed when the dread and fear interferes with a person's daily life or activities. When the sufferer is exposed to the feared item they experience severe anxiety such as a panic attack.
People with phobias often avoid the feared object or situation. This avoidance can extend into avoiding daily activities because the sufferer believes there is a remote possibility of coming into contact with the feared item (i.e. fear of dogs keeps you from going outside alone).
Phobias can occur with other anxiety disorders. A few common phobias are fear of animals (i.e. dogs), fear of flying, and dental phobia.
Agoraphobia
"I used to have a job, socialize, and do errands by myself, but not anymore. I'm terrified that if I leave the house I'll have another panic attack and won't be able to handle it. I feel like a prisoner in my own house, but the thought of having another panic attack out there is even more terrifying."
Agoraphobia is defined as an abnormal fear of being helpless in a situation in which you would feel trapped, helpless, or out of control. In this condition, you restrict your daily activities and refuse to go places where you feel out of control or might have a panic attack and find escape difficult.
Agoraphobia is a condition that often but not always occurs with panic disorder. Early detection and treatment of panic disorder is key to preventing or minimizing agoraphobia.
People with agoraphobia have certain "safety zones" in which they feel comfortable. They refuse to stray beyond their safety zones. For example, a person may feel comfortable going to a few select stores or driving a specific route home to and from work.
If agoraphobia is left untreated, over time the feeling of lack of control can grow and the safety zones become fewer and fewer. Some people with this condition refuse to leave their homes for months or even years at a time.
Social Anxiety Disorder
"In any social situation, I feel terrified. As I start to think about the event the symptoms start. By the time I get there I'm in panic mode. I can feel everyone's eyes on me. I start sweating, my face is flushed, and I feel like I am removed from myself. All I can think about is getting away."
Here are common social anxiety attack symptom traits:
* overwhelming fear of embarrassment, being judged, or humiliated
* feeling conspicuous, like all eyes are focused on you
* excessive self-consciousness
* avoidance of social activities and things you enjoy
* exaggerated anxious thoughts
* obsessive, racing, or "what-if" thoughts
* feeling unable to control your fears
* dreading or worrying about social activities for hours, days, or weeks in advance
* facial blushing
* difficulty speaking
* rapid heartbeat, heart palpitations, or rapid pulse rate
* trembling
* excessive sweating
* nausea or abdominal distress
Social Anxiety Disorder (social phobia):
Social anxiety disorder is diagnosed as overwhelming anxiety, fear, and self-consciousness in everyday social situations. This anxiety disrupts your daily life. People that suffer from social anxiety disorder usually realize that their fears are unfounded or extreme but still feel unable to control their social fears.
Social anxiety sufferers tend to be acutely aware of their physical symptoms in social situations, which usually intensifies their fear that others are looking at or judging them.
Signs of Social Anxiety
A few common fears associated with social anxiety are a fear of meeting new people, performance fears (i.e. eating in public), and fear of speaking in public situations.
People with social anxiety disorder often experience panic attacks during or soon before the social event. They may avoid situations they think will trigger the social anxiety or refuse to go places where they feel out of control.
Social anxiety disorder can occur with other anxiety disorders (i.e. panic disorder).
Symptoms of PTSD
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms:
Some common symptoms are
* easily startled
* ordinary events remind you of the traumatic event
* feeling physically and/or emotionally numb
* flashbacks of the traumatic event or re-living the traumatic event in your mind
* lose interest in activities you enjoy
* nightmares about the traumatic event
* difficulty sleeping
* feeling detached from yourself or feelings of unreality
* difficulty being affectionate
* irritability
* feeling strong emotions such as rage or violent tendencies
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
"After the rape, I went for months feeling nothing - completely numb. I talked about the assault like it had happened to someone else. I jumped at the slightest noise or touch, and stayed awake as long as I could to avoid the terrifying nightmares that haunted me every night."
Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is diagnosed as debilitating physical and mental symptoms that disrupt your daily life following a traumatic event. Some examples of traumatic events are sexual assault, child abuse, domestic abuse, war, natural disasters, serious accidents, muggings, or terrorist attacks. PTSD can also develop after witnessing someone close to you experiencing a traumatic or life-threatening event.
Not every person experiencing a traumatic event develops PTSD. PTSD is diagnosed only when symptoms last more than a month and interfere with your daily life. PTSD often does not develop until several months or years after the traumatic event. Anniversary dates can trigger powerful memories of the traumatic experience.
Because ordinary events and situations can trigger disturbing reminders of the trauma, people suffering from PTSD often severely limit their daily activities.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
"I'm can't stop thinking about how I'm going to get sick if I don't keep the germs away. My hands are raw from washing them so much and I disinfect the whole house several times a day to make sure the germs are gone. This helps for an hour or two, but then the obsessive thoughts return."
OCD and Symptoms
Some common symptoms are
* persistent unwanted thoughts or images
* persistent doubts (i.e. checking locks, stoves, etc.)
* frequent thoughts of aggression or violence
* extreme need for orderliness
* feel unable to control unwanted thoughts
* need to perform ritual acts (i.e. checking the clock or washing hands repeatedly) to prevent or get rid of the unwanted thoughts
* feel unable to control rituals
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) has two components: obsessions and compulsions. Obsessions are the persistent unwanted thoughts or images that you feel unable to control. Compulsions are the rituals that you perform in an attempt to prevent or get rid of the obsessive thoughts.
People with OCD do not find the rituals enjoyable, but feel drawn to do them because they provide temporary relief from the obsessive thoughts. They realize that the behaviors are irrational but feel unable to control them.
Obsessive compulsive disorder is diagnosed when you spend at least an hour a day doing compulsive activities to find relief from the obsessions, and the condition interferes with your daily life.
A few common obsessions are unwanted thoughts of violence or harming others, obsessions with germs, or an obsession with order.
OCD can occur with other anxiety disorders, depression, or agoraphobia.
For professional help with any type of anxiety, please search through our directory.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Deanne Repich created the Conquer Your Anxiety Success Program, a simple, action-oriented "how-to" course that has helped thousands across the globe conquer their anxiety. She also conducts seminars, writes articles, and publishes the free "Anxiety Tips" newsletter. Like this article? Then you'll love the Conquer Your Anxiety Success Program. .
