Types of Anxiety Disorders

Feeling anxious when facing a tough task or while doing something new is natural. But when your anxiety transforms into fear or prevents you from functioning normally, you must look deeper. This could be an anxiety disorder. Read on to know more.

What is Anxiety Disorder?

Anxiety disorders are mental health issues where a person can react to situations with great fear/anxiety. While some level of anxiety is quite normal, those with this disorder cannot function when they are undergoing an episode.

Types

Anxiety disorders are not the same for everyone. There are different kinds. Learning what are the 6 types of anxiety disorders can help you determine exactly what is the nature of your own. These are -

• Generalised Anxiety

If you feel anxious about regular things such as world economics or climate change, then it is referred to as generalised anxiety. The condition makes you lose focus and may have physical manifestations, and you cannot control it.

• Social Anxiety Disorder

When you cannot interact socially without fear of being judged by others, and it makes you avoid talking to or being with people, you could have a social anxiety disorder. This is different from the normal awkwardness or shyness we feel around strangers.

• Phobias

If you are terrified of specific things like an animal (like cats), a situation (like flying) or objects (like injections), this could be a phobia. If this fear has persisted for more than six months, it is termed a phobia.

• Separation Anxiety

If you fear losing someone close to you to such an extent that it affects your mental state when you are not in close proximity, this could be separation anxiety.

• Panic Disorders

Panic attacks can take the form of rapid breathing, dizziness, blurred vision, loss of awareness, etc. They can come upon you suddenly with no trigger or with specific triggers.

• OCD/PTSD

While these two are often labelled as anxiety disorders, they are somewhat different in what causes them and how they are treated.