We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Are the Different Types of Anxiety Disorders?

Allison Boelcke
By
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 3,491
References
Share

An anxiety disorder is a type of mental condition in which a person experiences constant feelings of stress, nervousness, or fear that are severe enough to interfere with his or her daily life. There are a variety of specific types of anxiety disorders that may have different circumstances that trigger those feelings, or a person may suffer from generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), in which there is no specific trigger for the anxiety. Anxiety disorders may be caused by an imbalance of the brain chemicals responsible for mood, as well as genetics or traumatic events. Sufferers may be treated with medication to balance brain chemicals, cognitive psychotherapy, in which patients are counseled on how to change their ways of thinking to overcome their anxious feelings, or a combination of both.

Panic disorder, one of the most widespread types of anxiety disorders, is a condition in which a person experiences abrupt feelings of intense fear known as panic attacks. Although panic disorder is considered a mood disorder, it is generally accompanied with physical symptoms, such as rapid heartbeat, dizziness, and sweating, and may even be mistaken for a heart attack or other physical condition by the person suffering from it. Panic attacks may occur at any time without warning, even while a person is sleeping, but are often triggered by specific situations that cause a person anxiety, such as large crowds or confined spaces.

Another one of the more common types of anxiety disorders is social anxiety disorder. Also commonly referred to as social phobia, it is characterized by extreme feelings of nervousness when interacting with other people. People with social anxiety disorder fear being judged or ridiculed by others to the point where it may interfere with their everyday lives and make them unable to hold a job or maintain relationships with others. Even if a person is able to conquer his or her fears and be in social situations, he or she may suffer from extreme stress in the time leading up to the event.

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a condition in which a person becomes fixated on thoughts about particular fears and performs specific rituals in order to calm these fears. For example, a person with OCD who has a fear of germs may feel intense anxiety if he or she doesn’t wash his or her hands a certain number of times each day for a particular duration each time. OCD is considered one of the more debilitating types of anxiety disorders because it can drastically interfere with a person’s ability to function in everyday situations and may overtake his or her thought processes.

While many types of anxiety disorders naturally develop, others may be triggered by a traumatic event. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that occurs after a person has gone through a fearful experience. It may also occur if the event happened to a close friend or family member. PTSD may develop in war veterans, rape or assault victims, or those who have experienced violence, and may cause flashbacks; vivid thoughts of the event that make it difficult to sleep or function; and personality changes, such as becoming less affectionate, more irritable, or even violent.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Link to Sources
Allison Boelcke
By Allison Boelcke
Allison Boelcke, a digital marketing manager and freelance writer, helps businesses create compelling content to connect with their target markets and drive results. With a degree in English, she combines her writing skills with marketing expertise to craft engaging content that gets noticed and leads to website traffic and conversions. Her ability to understand and connect with target audiences makes her a valuable asset to any content creation team.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Allison Boelcke
Allison Boelcke
Allison Boelcke, a digital marketing manager and freelance writer, helps businesses create compelling content to connect with their target markets and drive results. With a degree in English, she combines her writing skills with marketing expertise to craft engaging content that gets noticed and leads to website traffic and conversions. Her ability to understand and connect with target audiences makes her a valuable asset to any content creation team.
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-are-the-different-types-of-anxiety-disorders.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.