Everyone has occasional anxiety. When anxiety affects a person’s daily life is we pay closer attention. This usually involves repeated episodes of intense fear and might escalate into a panic attack. These anxious feelings are also usually disproportional to the actual danger. If you avoid situations to prevent these feelings, you could be battling an anxiety disorder.
There are many kinds of anxiety. Understanding which kind of anxiety you’re going up against can help you determine a path toward healing. Coping with panic disorder is much different from how you would cope with obsessive or compulsive behaviors. While treatment for many of these overlaps, specificity is the piece of the puzzle that can get you on a fast track to a more secure life.
What Are the Five Kinds of Anxiety?
There are five major types of anxiety disorders acknowledged by the medical field. These are diagnosable kinds of anxiety. As an example, high functioning anxiety is often used to describe someone who is extremely productive while anxious. This is diagnosed as Generalized Anxiety Disorder, though, because that is a diagnosable illness.
The five major kinds of anxiety are:
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
This disorder is characterized by chronic anxiety. This is an intense worry or tension with little or nothing to blame for the feelings of unease. With a generalized anxiety disorder, the person feels this worry about everyday life. They might prepare for disasters that are unlikely to happen or have a persistent worry about work, school, family, finances, and health.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
OCD is a very specific anxiety disorder. It presents with recurrent unwanted thoughts (obsessions.) The person may also experience repetitive behaviors, called compulsions. These can happen independently or together. The repetitive behaviors usually involve hand washing, counting, checking, or cleaning. We call these rituals, too, and when a person uses them to cope with the anxiety, it only provides temporary relief.
Panic Disorder
Anxiety disorders with unexpected episodes of intense fear might be panic disorders. This intense fear happens repeatedly and is accompanied by physical symptoms. The physical symptoms might be shortness of breath, digestive distress, dizziness, heart palpitations, and even chest pain.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Another extremely specific anxiety disorder has PTSD. Post-traumatic develops because of traumatic exposure. This might be because of physical harm or a threat. It might also be because of a natural event or disaster. PTSD is well known for its association with “triggers.” The classic example is of a war veteran who has anxiety induced by loud noises or anything that might cause them to recall the traumatic event.
Social Anxiety Disorder (Social Phobia)
This disorder causes overwhelming anxiety about social situations. This affects a person’s everyday socialization and makes it difficult to develop relationships or intimate connections. Social phobia can also be limited to a particular situation. That might include fear of public speaking, eating in front of others, or fear of crowded spaces.
What’s Your Anxiety?
Self-diagnosing anxiety is not recommended. Because the symptoms can overlap so readily, the help of a professional therapist is advised. You can also speak with your general practitioner about your concerns. They can also help you identify if what you’re experiencing is anxiety, something else, and what kind of anxiety it might be.
If you need help to find a therapist, you can ask your general practitioner about that, too. They can help you find a certified therapist near you and within your network. We can talk about the treatment options you’re most comfortable with, like medication or psychotherapy. To take control of your anxious thoughts, consider reaching out to someone for help. Please read more about anxiety therapy and reach out soon for a consultation.
