Types of Anxiety

There are several types of anxiety disorder, and while the majority of their symptoms are very similar, the manner by which they manifest can differ, as described below.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

People with GAD are often referred to as ‘worriers’. They find it hard to relax, and they worry about everything around them. Their worrying may last for days, or even constantly. They worry over trifling things at home such as what recipe to cook for dinner, or what clothes the children should wear the following day.

GAD sufferers find it hard to sleep at night because of their constant worrying. They often have a feeling of impending doom even though these feelings are often unfounded.  They may realize that these worries are merely a product of their imagination or irrational thinking, but they still can’t seem to ditch the habit of worrying.

People with GAD have the tendency to exaggerate the things that are happening to them and around them.  Even the slightest stomach-ache can make them worry too much and have them thinking that it may be an ulcer.  A simple headache can be suspected of being a brain cancer.

Their sources of worry can be anything from personal or professional relationships, financial matters, health issues, and problems at work. Even just the thought of getting through the day without mishap is enough to make them worry even more. All these worries occur even though there is nothing specific to cause them.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

OCD makes a person feel that they can’t do anything without first performing a certain ritual or rituals. Unfortunately, these rituals (or compulsions) can interfere with almost every aspect of their life.

For example, they may find that counting is a ritual that is difficult to ignore.  Even though they know these rituals do not make any sense at all, they still cannot avoid or ignore it. They may wash their hair three times because at the back of their mind three is a lucky number and washing the hair less or more than three times would bring bad luck (to themselves or someone else).

Another example is a person who has an obsession with germs or dirt, who may have the compulsion to wash their hands more often than needed. This example is often the one people most readily recognize as being an obsessive compulsive disorder.

Social Anxiety Disorder

Social anxiety is often characterized by a fear of any social situation. Some individuals feel nervous every time they have to leave the comfort of their home.  Others become anxious about particular events, and their anxiety escalates as it gets closer to the time of the event in question.

They often feel like everybody's eyes are focused on them. This form of paranoia will frequently lead to the feeling that they are being judged, making them extremely self-conscious.

Even if they try their best to face their fears and attend the event, they still find the entire experience causes them intense discomfort. Due to their discomfort of being surrounded by people, it makes it difficult for them to win new friends, or sometimes even to maintain older friendships. They do not reach out to new people and they reject older friends’ invitations to events.

Panic Disorder and Panic Attacks

During a panic attack the thought of imminent danger is overwhelming. Each episode may last for about ten minutes but in some cases it can last longer. Often those who experience a panic attack for the first time think they are either having a heart attack, losing their sanity, or feel they are about to die.

A panic attack can also occur without warning which makes the experience even more frightening. The reason is because the person does not know why or what caused their attack. This is also why those who suffer with panic attacks often develop an extreme fear of going back to the places or surroundings where they have experienced attacks before.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

PTSD is a condition that develops after a person has had a terrifying experience, which usually involves the threat of physical harm or death, either to oneself, or another person or persons. PTSD can also occur to someone who has actually been hurt or harmed themselves, or to someone who has witnessed another person being harmed or injured, such as in an accident or attack.

Previously, PTSD was a condition used to refer to war veterans suffering after the extreme confrontations of their combat experiences. However, as symptoms of PTSD have been brought to public awareness many experts today diagnose PTSD as a result of varied incidents that cause a lot of trauma to individuals. These incidents may include torture, rape, vehicular accidents, physical abuse, natural disasters etc.

Not every person who experiences a traumatic event will develop PTSD.  However, some people do suffer from severe PTSD because of the trauma, while others will only have mild PTSD or anxiety. The symptoms often start to manifest within the first three months from the date of the incident.

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