Everyone feels anxious sometimes, especially when faced with a dangerous or nervewracking situation. However, people with anxiety disorders feel anxious at inappropriate times, and this anxiety has a negative impact on their lives. If you feel you suffer from anxiety, this list of common anxiety disorders can help you describe your symptoms to a doctor.
1. Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Generalized anxiety disorder comes in many forms. If you often feel anxious about your job, health, family, or other factors in your life, you may have GAD. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, your worry may be a sign of an anxiety disorder if it persists for at least six months, during which time you are mostly symptomatic.
2. Panic Disorder
Panic disorder is a condition characterized by frequent panic attacks. Often, these panic attacks seem to happen out of the blue, sometimes with no obvious triggers. Panic attacks can mimic symptoms of a heart attack, and people who experience them often feel like they are dying or going crazy. Unfortunately, sufferers of panic disorder often develop a fear of the panic attacks themselves, which can exacerbate the condition.
3. Social Anxiety Disorder
Most people feel a little nervous around new people sometimes, but people suffering from social anxiety disorder experience a crippling fear of social situations. People with this disorder may feel an intense fear of judgment, leading them to avoid situations where people might be present. This can lead to isolation and feelings of loneliness and depression.
4. Agoraphobia
Agoraphobia is commonly misunderstood. Many people think that agoraphobic people won't leave the house at all. However, in less severe cases of agoraphobia, a person will avoid certain places that cause them anxiety. Controlling their environment is one way that agoraphobics attempt to manage their panic and anxiety. Unfortunately, agoraphobia can become more severe if left untreated. The number of places that a person feels safe may gradually shrink, leaving them stuck in a very narrow and rigid pattern.
Anxiety doesn't need to control your life. If one or more of these anxiety disorders describes you, make an appointment with your doctor today. They can screen you for mental illness and refer you to someone who specializes in treating anxiety. Mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of. Many people notice significant improvement in their quality of life when undergoing anxiety therapy, sometimes in conjunction with psychiatric medication.
Reach out to a company like The A Treatment Center for more information.
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