Different types of anxiety

Anxiety is feeling excessive fear, nervousness or worrying that something bad might happen, even though there is no logical or specific reason to be afraid. Many times depressive illnesses and anxiety go hand in hand.

Various types of anxiety disorders include:

Panic Disorder - panic attacks occur with symptoms of dizziness, rapid heart beat, feelings of faintness or detachment from body, shortness of breath, nausea, diarrhea, numbness or tingling in arms/legs, trembling, flushes or chills, fear of dying, the immediate need to flee the situation which has triggered the attack.

Phobias - intense fear of an object (animal, insects), activity (flying, heights, driving), or situation (public speaking, eating or writing in public) that causes an individual to avoid these things at all costs. Phobias may result in agoraphobia causing a person to never leave the security of their home.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder - characterized by having continuous thoughts or doubts (obsessions) that keep playing over and over again in a person's mind, in an annoying and bothersome way, interfering with everyday functioning. Obsessions are repetitive, irrational thoughts such as excessive fears of germs. Also may have a need to do something over and over again (compulsion), such as checking appliances, cleaning, washing hands, counting, repeating tasks or performing rituals in order to ease anxiety.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - this disorder can occur as a result of an emotional or physical trauma such as a car or plane crash, physical/sexual assault, war, or natural disaster. Symptoms such as flashbacks or nightmares may suddenly begin happening years after the event took place, resulting in social isolation, panic attacks, angry outbursts or substance abuse, which may be an attempt to forget.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder - people who worry constantly about anything and everything (money, health, safety of their children taken to extremes) may have GAD. Possible symptoms include trembling, pain in arms & legs from muscle tension, chronic fatigue, stomach problems, dizziness, inability to concentrate, irritability, jittery and nervous appearance. May have problems with eating and sleeping.

Social Phobia - anxiety about appearing foolish or acting in such a way as to embarrass oneself. Examples may be speaking in a group of people or to someone with authority, anxiety in social situations, writing in public, or eating in public.