What Are The 5 Types Of Anxiety Disorder

Anxiety disorder is a term used to describe all conditions or disorders that are based on pathological fear and anxiety. Below are the five major types of anxiety disorders.

{Generalized Anxiety Disorder}

Generalized anxiety disorder is a form of anxiety disorder that is characterized by exaggerated tension, worry and anxiety over an object or a situation. Often, even when there is very little or no reason at all to worry, people with GAD still worry. They constantly anticipate disaster and worst-cases scenarios all the time; they even worry about worrying itself. In quite a high percentage of people suffering from GAD, even the thought of getting through the day is enough to consume them with anxiety and worry.

{Panic Disorder}

Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder that is characterized by sudden, brief attacks of intense apprehension and terror which is often accompanied by physical symptoms like pounding heart, weakness, dizziness, sweatiness, faintness, shaking, confusion, difficulty breathing and nausea.

Panic attacks can last anywhere from a few minutes to several hours, often peaking within 10 to 30 minutes after the initial symptoms have occurred. An attack may occur suddenly, even during sleep. The triggers is not exactly know although most common causes are identified as exercising or any strenuous physical activity, stress, and intense fear.

{Phobias or Phobic Disorders}

The largest group of anxiety disorders is phobia or phobic disorders. People who have phobia generally experience irrational and exaggerated levels of fear and anxiety when they encounter or when hey anticipate to encounter the objects or situations that they are most fearful about. When the concern is anxiety disorder, the most common kinds of phobias are social anxiety or social phobia and agoraphobia.

{Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder}

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, also known as OCD, is a form of anxiety disorder that is best described as following a pattern of behavior or repetitive behaviors in satisfaction of obsessions or obsessive thoughts. These persistent and upsetting obsessions or thoughts are controlled using rituals or compulsions. Although people with OCD initially feel lower levels of anxiety by doing repetitive behaviors, they actually end up being controlled by their compulsions. Still, repetitive behaviors such as cleaning, counting, checking and hand washing are still done to relieve their obsessive thoughts. The results are not surprisingly temporary.

{Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder}

PTSD or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder results from being exposed to a great deal of terror or pain. Traumatic events that oftentimes develop into PTSD are natural or human-caused disasters, accidents, or military combat.

People with PTSD often have frightening recurrent and persistent recollection of memories that have caused the disorder. Left untreated, these memories could cause them frightening experiences for a long time.

That you suffer from the symptoms of any of the major anxiety disorders mentioned above could mean that you may be diagnosed with a form of anxiety disorder; it is advisable that you get help soon.

By: Brian D. Hudgers

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

To know whether the symptoms you are experiencing are signs of a particular disorder, it is advisable that you first seek the professional advice of your physician. From there, he could recommend you to a clinician or a psychologist to look into your anxiety disorder.