Anxiety

Types of Anxiety Disorders

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)

This condition causes fear, worry and a constant feeling of being overwhelmed. It’s characterized by excessive, frequent and unrealistic worry about everyday things, such as job responsibilities, health or chores.

Agoraphobia 

This condition causes an intense fear of becoming overwhelmed or unable to escape or get help. People with agoraphobia often avoid new places and unfamiliar situations, like large, open areas or enclosed spaces, crowds and places outside of their homes.

Panic disorder 

This condition involves multiple unexpected panic attacks. A main feature of the condition is that the attacks usually happen without warning and aren’t due to another mental health or physical condition. Some people with panic disorder also have agoraphobia.

Specific phobias 

A phobia is when something causes you to feel fear or anxiety that’s so severe it consistently and overwhelmingly disrupts your life. There are hundreds of different types of phobias, and there’s one diagnosis for almost all of them: specific phobia. Only one phobia, agoraphobia, is a distinct diagnosis.

Social anxiety disorder 

This condition (formerly known as social phobia) happens when you experience intense and ongoing fear of being judged negatively and/or watched by others.

Separation anxiety disorder 

This condition happens when you feel excessive anxiety when you’re separated from a loved one, like a primary caregiver. While separation anxiety in babies and toddlers is a normal stage of development, separation anxiety disorder can affect children and adults.

Selective mutism

This condition happens when you don’t talk in certain situations because of fear or anxiety. It usually affects young children, but it can also affect adolescents and adults.

Other mental health conditions share features with anxiety disorders. These include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), acute stress disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). But the American Psychiatric Association classifies them as distinct conditions and not anxiety disorders.

Symptoms of Anxiety Disorders

Symptoms of anxiety disorders vary depending on the type.  Symptoms occur most of the day, nearly every day and may include:

• Feeling panic, fear, dread and uneasiness.

• Feeling on edge or irritable.

• Uncontrollable, obsessive thoughts.

• Difficulty concentrating.

• Restlessness.

• Heart palpitations.

• Shortness of breath.

• Muscle tension.

• Cold or sweaty hands.

• Dry mouth.

• Nausea.

• Numbness or tingling in your hands or feet.

• Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep (insomnia).

It’s important to talk to your healthcare provider or a mental health professional if you frequently experience these symptoms.