Anxiety Go Away!

Anxiety disorders are the most common of all mental disorders. Most people think anxiety and fear mean the same thing. But in psychological terms they are quite different. There are many types of anxiety disorders. Here we will take a look at some of the most common types.

Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD): This is chronic anxiety that is not focused on a particular object or situation. People suffering from this disorder are generally always fearful and worry about everyday matters to an extreme degree. They are unable to relax even though they realise that they are worrying about something that is not all that serious. They have low concentration levels, sleep problems and get startled easily.

Panic attacks: Here a person suffers a brief and intense period of fear and terror. The physical symptoms of a panic attack include sweating, trembling, nausea, shortness of breath, hot flashes, tingling, chest pain and dizziness. Panic attacks start abruptly and can last for 15-30 minutes. Because of the shortness of breath and chest pain, many people think they are having a heart attack. Panic attacks are different from other anxiety disorders because of their intensity and unpredictability.

Agoraphobia: Most commonly known as the fear of open spaces, people who suffer from this disorder need to be near a door or exit route at all times. In the most serious cases, people suffering from agoraphobia become recluses as they are too scared to go out anywhere.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD): The main characteristics of OCD are recurring thoughts, obsessions and repetitive behavior, or compulsions. People suffering from OCD often perform certain tasks repeatedly in the hope that the obsessive thoughts they have will disappear.

Social anxiety disorder: Also known as social phobia, people suffering from this disorder are overly self conscious in social situations. Sometimes the anxiety may be limited to a particular type of social situation, for example, public speaking. But in other cases the disorder might be so severe that the person is self conscious at all social situations. People with social phobia often feel that they are being watched and judged by others. Some physical symptoms of social phobia are blushing, trembling, nausea and difficulty speaking. In the most extreme cases of this disorder, people with social phobia live in complete isolation.

Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): This anxiety disorder is a result of a person being exposed to a terrifying and traumatic situation. People who have been exposed to wars, natural or man-made disasters, violent assaults or accidents normally suffer from PTSD. Some of the symptoms of PTSD are recurring nightmares, emotional numbness, depression, insomnia.

Separation anxiety: People with this form of disorder feel an inappropriate level of anxiety when separated from someone or somewhere. In babies and small children separation anxiety is considered normal. It is only when it reaches panic proportions that it is called a disorder. Although both adults and children can have separation anxiety, it is more severe in the case of children where even a short separation can bring about other anxiety disorders like panic attacks in them.