Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) If constant worries and fears distract you from your day-to-day activities or you’re troubled by a persistent feeling that something bad is going to happen, you may be suffering from generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). People with GAD are chronic worrywarts who feel anxious nearly all of the time, though they may not even know why. Anxiety related to GAD often shows up as physical symptoms like insomnia, stomach upset, restlessness, and fatigue. Anxiety attacks (Panic disorder) Panic disorder is characterized by repeated, unexpected panic attacks, as well as fear of experiencing another episode. Panic disorder may also be accompanied by agoraphobia, which is a fear of being in places where escape would be difficult in the event of a panic attack. If you have agoraphobia, you are likely to avoid public places such as shopping malls or confined spaces such as an airplane. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) Obsessive-compulsive disorder(OCD) is characterized by unwanted thoughts or obsessive behaviors that seem impossible to control, such as a recurring worry that you forgot to turn off the oven. You may also suffer from uncontrollable compulsions, such as washing your hands over and over. Phobia A phobia is an unrealistic or exaggerated fear of a specific object, activity, or situation that in reality presents little to no danger. Common phobias include fear of animals such as snakes and spiders, fear of flying, and fear of heights. In the case of a severe phobia, you might go to extreme lengths to avoid the thing you fear. Social anxiety disorder If you have a debilitating fear of being seen negatively by others and humiliated in public, you may have social anxiety disorder or social phobia. Social anxiety disorder can be thought of as extreme shyness. In severe cases, social situations are avoided altogether. Performance anxiety (stage fright) is the most common type of social phobia. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an extreme anxiety disorder that can occur in the aftermath of a traumatic or life- threatening event. PTSD can be thought of as a panic attack that rarely, if ever, lets up. Symptoms of PTSD include flashbacks or nightmares about what happened, hypervigilance, startling easily, withdrawing from others, and avoiding situations that remind you of the event.
Posted on: Fri, 29 Nov 2013 07:18:49 +0000
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