Anxiety Disorder

Anxiety is part of everyone’s life, and in many situations, anxiety is essential for helping others navigate risks and keep from harm’s way. In certain cases, people experience intense periods of anxiety that are very overwhelming. 

Several common types of anxiety are as follows:

  • Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) - refers to ongoing anxiety that occurs on most days over a six-month period. This anxiety may cause the person to feel regularly on-edge, irritable, and tired.

  • Social Anxiety Disorders-or aka social phobia. Individuals who suffer from this anxiety disorder are extremely uneasy in social situations or in front of others. They often feel judged negatively by others, although not true. This disorder often keeps the person from avoiding social interactions.

  • Panic Disorders- usually resulting with panic attacks, that can be short and sudden with periods of heightened anxiety and fear. Some symptoms include heart palpitations, shortness of breath, shaking, and crying.

  • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)- May cause constant and repetitive thoughts, or obsessions. These thoughts happen with unnecessary and unreasonable desires to carry out certain behaviors, or compulsions.

Many people with OCD realize that their thoughts and actions are unreasonable, yet they cannot stop them.

What are the signs and symptoms of anxiety disorder?

The different types of anxiety disorders differ on what triggers anxiety and how long feelings of anxiety occur. However, each type of anxiety disorder has several common symptoms. Common symptoms of anxiety disorders include:

  • Overwhelming sense of fear and worry

  • Heart palpitations

  • Sweating

  • Irritability

  • Muscle tension

  • Difficulty speaking

  • Being tired often

  • Lack of focus and concentration

  • Shortness of breath

  • Involuntary shaking

  • Nausea and dizziness

    People who suffer from anxiety disorders experience anxiety differently. Some people may experience all or just some of the above symptoms, and it is important to note that sometimes the above symptoms are not noticeable to others.