What are anxiety disorders?

It’s normal to feel anxious about moving to a new place, starting a new job, or taking a test. This type of anxiety is unpleasant, but it may motivate you to work harder and to do a better job. Ordinary anxiety is a feeling that comes and goes, but does not interfere with your everyday life.

In the case of an anxiety disorder, the feeling of fear may be with you all the time. It is intense and sometimes debilitating.

This type of anxiety may cause you to stop doing things you enjoy. In extreme cases, it may prevent you from entering an elevator, crossing the street, or even leaving your home. If left untreated, the anxiety will keep getting worse.

Anxiety disorders are the most common form of emotional disorder and can affect anyone at any age. According to the American Psychiatric Association, women are more likely than men to be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.

 

What are the types of anxiety disorders?

Anxiety is a key part of several different disorders. These include:

• panic disorder: experiencing recurring panic attacks at unexpected times. A person with panic disorder may live in fear of the next panic attack.

• phobia: excessive fear of a specific object, situation, or activity

• social anxiety disorder: extreme fear of being judged by others in social situations

• obsessive-compulsive disorder: recurring irrational thoughts that lead you to perform specific, repeated behaviors

• separation anxiety disorder: fear of being away from home or loved ones

• illness anxiety disorder: anxiety about your health (formerly called hypochondria)

• post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): anxiety following a traumatic event

 

What are the symptoms of anxiety?

Anxiety feels different depending on the person experiencing it. Feelings can range from butterflies in your stomach to a racing heart. You might feel out of control, like there’s a disconnect between your mind and body.

Other ways people experience anxiety include nightmares, panic attacks, and painful thoughts or memories that you can’t control. You may have a general feeling of fear and worry, or you may fear a specific place or event.

Symptoms of general anxiety include:

• increased heart rate

• rapid breathing

• restlessness

• trouble concentrating

• difficulty falling asleep

Your anxiety symptoms might be totally different from someone else’s. That’s why it’s important to know all the ways anxiety can present itself. 

 

What is an anxiety attack?

An anxiety attack is a feeling of overwhelming apprehension, worry, distress, or fear. For many people, an anxiety attack builds slowly. It may worsen as a stressful event approaches.

Anxiety attacks can vary greatly, and symptoms may differ among individuals. That’s because the many symptoms of anxiety don’t happen to everyone, and they can change over time.

Common symptoms of an anxiety attack include:

• feeling faint or dizzy

• shortness of breath

• dry mouth

• sweating

• chills or hot flashes

• apprehension and worry

• restlessness

• distress

• fear

• numbness or tingling

A panic attack and an anxiety attack share some common symptoms, but they’re not the same. 

 

What causes anxiety?

A combination of factors play a role. These include genetic and environmental factors, as well as brain chemistry.

In addition, researchers believe that the areas of the brain responsible for controlling fear may be impacted.

Current research of anxiety is taking a deeper look at the parts of the brain that are involved with anxiety. If Anxiety is a problem for you book in for a session with Matt at Redlands Counselling Service.