Several Types of Anxiety - What is Anxiety?

Several Types of Anxiety - What is Anxiety?

There are many types of anxiety. Examples of common anxiety disorders are social anxiety disorder (social anxiety), generalized anxiety disorder (generalized panic disorder), specific phobias, and separation anxiety disorder (anxiety about being alone). You may have several anxiety disorders. In some instances anxiety is a symptom of a physical or mental health problem that requires treatment.

Specific phobias are fears that are not linked to any known cause. Examples include arachnophobia (fear of spiders), hydrophobia (fear of water) and anorexia (loss of appetite). Separation anxiety disorders worry about being alone, usually for a period of time. Panic attacks usually happen when the person is alone, or when there is increased exposure to possible triggers.

Generalized anxiety disorder is a long-term disorder characterized by excessive worry about ordinary everyday situations. It can cause problems at work, home and in social situations. Typical symptoms are a constant worry about things that shouldn't make you worry, such as making the wrong decision in buying a product, or speaking in front of a crowd. People with general anxiety disorders also worry about having embarrassing situations occur in public. Social anxiety disorders can be disabling and can interfere with leading a normal life.

Specific phobias cause the person to worry about symptoms. Some examples are claustrophobia (fear of enclosed spaces), panic disorder, and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Specific phobias refer to fears that come on suddenly, rather than as a gradual build up over time. Usually these symptoms will go away when the worry reaches a certain level. The fear of social situations can cause anxiety disorders to get worse and cause symptoms to continue.

If your anxiety symptoms get worse, then you should seek help from your mental health professional. He or she may prescribe medication, therapy, or both. Depending on the severity of the symptoms, you may be asked to try more than one treatment before you start feeling better. There is never just one treatment that works for everyone, but it's worth trying if you have enough motivation.

Many people with an anxiety problem find that regular exercise relieves their symptoms. The increased physical activity releases chemicals that are known to fight off anxiety. Exercise is also very important for overall health. Many people don't feel that going to the gym or running is possible for them because of social anxiety. A social anxiety disorder sufferer needs to be completely committed to overcoming the disorder if they want to get better.

Palpitations are another symptom of anxiety disorders. They happen when you are about to begin having a heart attack. Many people with palpitations do not really even know they are experiencing them. They may become aware of the shortness of breath while they are about to have a heart attack and will panic.

Shortness of breath is another symptom. It can be very difficult to live with anxiety because your heart beats so fast that you feel like you are losing control. People who worry too much often have problems with shortness of breath. One way to help decrease the amount of anxiety you feel is to get up and walk around for a bit. Sometimes just moving around makes you feel like you have control again.

Another symptom of anxiety disorders is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This occurs after a person has experienced some form of trauma such as being raped, being mugged or being in a car accident. PTSD includes intrusive thoughts, flashbacks and nightmares. Some people who experience PTSD think that the incident never occurred. Others think that the incident is so bad that it haunts them through their lives.

It is important that an individual suffering from anxiety disorders not worry too much about what others think of them. This can take a great toll on their self-esteem. One way to decrease the amount of anxiety is to make sure that you do not put yourself in embarrassing situations. If you feel that you must worry about something then it is time to consult a mental health professional for further assistance.

There are several types of treatment available for those who suffer from anxiety. Your physician can prescribe several medications to help alleviate the symptoms associated with anxiety. Therapy is also an option. You may want to seek the help of a trained psychotherapist. There are several programs available that teach sufferers how to cope with panic and anxiety disorders.