Anxiety

Anxiety disorders describe a category of mental health conditions that share common symptoms, but have different patterns of onset, duration, and frequency. Many anxiety disorders are distinguished by the specific events and circumstances that trigger the symptoms or “false alarms” described above.

Some of the more common types of anxiety disorders include:⁴

• Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD): Symptoms of anxiety triggered by a wide range of circumstances, or sometimes for unknown reasons.
• Social anxiety disorder: Symptoms of anxiety which occur in specific social interactions or settings where a person is afraid of being judged or rejected.
• Specific phobias: Intense symptoms of anxiety triggered by a specific thing (i.e. fear of spiders), situations (i.e. heights), or activities (i.e. public speaking).
• Panic disorder: An anxiety disorder characterized by panic attacks and intense fear about the possibility of future attacks.
• Anxiety disorders related to an underlying health issue or are related to the effects of a prescribed or illicit substance
• Separation Anxiety which primarily affects children (but can happen in adults) and is characterized by extreme anxiety when separated from loved ones (usually caregivers)
• Unspecified Anxiety Disorders which includes some symptoms of anxiety that do not match other known anxiety disorders but do cause significant distress or impairment.
• Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD): Not technically an anxiety disorder, but characterized by high levels of anxiety, intrusive thoughts, and ritualistic behavior
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): Not an anxiety disorder, but involves symptoms of anxiety, avoidance, mood problems, and recurrent memories following a traumatic experience

Depending on the specific disorder a person has, their symptoms can vary.⁴ Each disorder has a detailed list of symptoms that licensed health and mental health professionals reference to determine a diagnosis. Because anxiety is a common feature of all of the conditions listed above, there are some similarities in the symptoms that people with these conditions may experience.

Some of the more common symptoms of anxiety that people with these conditions report include:⁴

• Feeling tense, irritable or on-edge
• Racing or worried thoughts
• Trouble focusing or concentrating
• Changes in eating or sleeping patterns
• Restlessness and trouble sitting still
• Avoidance of feared situations
• Sweating, shaking or other unusual sensations in the body
• Feeling disconnected, “zoned out” or dissociated
• Panic attacks which can include extreme fear, racing heart, or trouble breathing

Symptoms of anxiety can be mild, moderate or severe. When anxiety becomes severe, it can culminate in an anxiety attack (also called a panic attack). An anxiety attack can occur to anyone in a highly stressful situation but is more likely to happen to people with an anxiety disorder or other pre-existing condition. Anxiety attacks tend to come on suddenly and include highly intense symptoms of anxiety that are primarily physiological in nature.

A person who experiences four or more of the following symptoms may be experiencing an anxiety attack:

• Heart palpitations
• Sweating
• Shaking or trembling
• Feeling hot or cold (hot flashes or chills)
• Feelings of choking
• Feeling smothered or short of breath
• Chest pain or discomfort
• Nausea, stomach pain or GI distress
• Feeling dizzy, lightheaded or unsteady
• Feeling afraid of dying
• Feeling afraid of losing control or “going crazy”
• Numbness or tingling sensations
• Derealization (not feeling in touch with reality) or depersonalization (not feeling attached to yourself)

Anxiety attacks are sudden, intense and frightening. People who experience them often mistake them for a heart attack or other medical emergency. Despite their intensity, anxiety attacks are not dangerous or life-threatening, and are common in people who struggle with anxiety.