We all feel anxious from time to time — before a big test, a job interview, or an important presentation. That kind of worry is totally normal. Anxiety is a normal response to stress and danger. It is your body’s way to keep you alert and in action. But when the anxiety becomes overwhelming, persistent, and interferes with daily life, it can be more than just a temporary worry, it can be an anxiety disorder.
In this blog, we are going to explore what anxiety disorders are, the different types, causes, and symptoms, and how they are diagnosed and treated. We’ll also look at the prevention strategies and when it might be the time to seek help.
What are Anxiety Disorders?
Anxiety disorders are more than just feeling nervous now and then. They’re a group of mental health conditions characterised by excessive and persistent worry, fear, and nervousness. These feelings can interfere with your work, relationships, and daily life. For some it might be a constant sense of worry, for others it could be sudden panic attacks or fear of social situations.
Types of Anxiety Disorders:
According to the American Psychiatric Association, there are many types of anxiety disorders which include:
1. Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD):
This type involves chronic excessive worrying, persistent fear, anxiety, and constant sense of being overwhelmed. It is characterised by frequent, intense, and often irrational worry about everyday matters like work, health, or chores. This persistent worry is often accompanied with physical symptoms like:
- Irritability
- Fatigue
- Trouble concentrating
- Muscle tension
- Sleep disturbances
2. Panic Disorder:
This condition is marked by recurrent and unexpected panic attacks that often occur without any clear trigger. A main feature is that these attacks usually happen without warning and are not caused by some mental or physical health issue. These attacks often involve a mix of symptoms that come on quickly and can feel overwhelming. Some common symptoms involve:
- Rapid heartbeat or palpitations
- Sweating
- Trembling or shaking
- Shortness of breath or smothering sensations
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Feeling light-headed or dizzy
- Feeling choked
- Numbness or tingling sensations
- Feeling detached
- Fear of losing control
- Fear of dying
Because these symptoms can be intense and frightening, many people experiencing panic attacks for the first time think they are having a heart attack or another serious medical issue, making them seek emergency medical care.
Panic attacks can be either expected— triggered by a specific fear or situation— or unexpected, occurring without any obvious cause.
3. Phobia, Specific Phobia:
A specific phobia is an intense and persistent fear of a specific object or situation that is generally not harmful or dangerous— so extreme that it interferes with your daily life. While people with phobia know that their fear is excessive, they can’t overcome it. These fears can be so overwhelming that people go out of their way to avoid the feared object or scenario.
Common examples include fear of public speaking, flying, or spiders. There are hundreds of possible phobias, but most of them fall under a single diagnostic category known as “specific phobia”. The only exception is agoraphobia that is classified as a separate condition.
4. Agoraphobia:
It is a type of anxiety disorder which involves an intense fear of being in places or situations where escape may be difficult or help unavailable if panic symptoms arise. This fear is often irrational and lasts six months or longer, significantly affecting daily life. People with agoraphobia experience fear in two or more of these situations:
- Using public transportation
- Being in open spaces
- Being in enclosed spaces
- Standing in line or being in a crowd
- Being outside the home alone
5. Social Anxiety Disorder:
People with social anxiety disorder (previously called social phobia) experience intense fear or discomfort in social situations where they worry about being judged, embarrassed, rejected, or humiliated. People with this disorder try to avoid these situations or endure them with great anxiety.
Common triggers include:
- Public speaking
- Meeting new people
- Eating or drinking in front of people
This persistent fear interferes with daily life and typically lasts for six months or longer.
6. Separation Anxiety Disorder:
A person with separation anxiety experiences excessive fear or anxiety about being separated from someone they are closely attached to. This fear goes beyond what is typical of a person’s age, and lasts for at least four weeks in children and six months in adults, significantly affecting their daily functioning.
The affected people may constantly worry about losing their loved one, resist going out or sleeping away from home without them, or have recurring nightmares about separation. While physical symptoms often appear in childhood, they can persist through adulthood.
7. Selective Mutism:
Children with selective mutism are able to speak comfortably at home with close family members but do not speak in certain social settings such as school, where speaking is expected. They may not even talk in front of familiar people such as friends or grandparents.
These children may rely on non-verbal communication such as pointing or gestures.
Selective mutism usually begins before age five, but is often only noticed once the child starts school. While many children grow out of it, those who also have social anxiety disorder may continue to experience anxiety symptoms even after selective mutism fades.
Symptoms:
The symptoms of anxiety disorders can differ based on the specific type, but they generally fall into two more categories, psychological and physical.
Psychological symptoms may include:
- Persistent feelings of panic, fear, dread, and uneasiness
- Irritability
- Uncontrollable obsessive thoughts
- Trouble focusing or concentrating
Physical symptoms may include:
- Rapid heartbeat or palpitations
- Restlessness
- Sweaty or cold hands
- Shortness of breath
- Muscle tension
- Dryness of mouth
- Nausea
- Numbness or tingling sensations in hands or feet
- Sleep disturbances (difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep)
Causes:
While the exact cause of anxiety disorders is not fully understood, researchers believe that a combination of biological, psychological, and environmental factors are involved.
- Chemical Imbalances— disruption in brain chemicals like serotonin, dopamine, nor-epinephrine, and GABA can contribute to anxiety disorders.
- Family history— anxiety disorders tend to run in families.
- Life experiences— trauma, abuse, or major stress can trigger anxiety disorders.
- Environmental Factors— Ongoing or chronic stress like financial pressure and unhealthy relationships can also contribute to anxiety disorders.
Diagnosis:
If the anxiety has started to affect your everyday life, it is better to contact your healthcare provider. They might:
- Ask questions about your symptoms and medical history
- Ask if anyone in your family has anxiety disorder or any mental health condition
- Ask if you are taking any medications
- Rule out other medical conditions
If your symptoms are not caused by an underlying medical issue, your doctor may refer you to a mental health professional like a psychologist or psychiatrist. They will also ask you questions regarding your symptoms, sleeping habits, and other behaviours. They’ll use criteria in the American Psychiatric Association’s DSM-5 to make diagnoses of anxiety disorders.
Treatment:
Anxiety disorders are medical conditions that require proper treatment— just like any physical illness. They can’t be overcome by willpower alone, but with the right approach, they are highly manageable. Treatment usually includes medication, psychotherapy (talk therapy), or combination of both.
- Medications like antidepressants (SSRIs, SNRIs), benzodiazepines (short-term), and beta blockers (for physical symptoms) help reduce anxiety symptoms and improve daily functioning.
- Psychotherapy , especially Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Exposure Therapy, helps people understand and change thought patterns, face fears, and build healthy coping skills.
Risk Factors:
Anyone can develop anxiety disorder, but a few things increase the chances, such as:
- A family history of anxiety or other mental health conditions
- Childhood trauma or neglect
- Chronic illness or health issues
- Drugs or alcohol use or misuse or withdrawal
- Living in a stressful environment
- Certain personality traits like being overly cautious
Prevention:
While you can’t always prevent anxiety, there are ways to lower your chances or manage it in a better way:
- Don’t ignore early signs of anxiety—get support early
- Take care of your mental and physical health
- Learn stress management techniques
- Avoid alcohol or drug use
When to See a Doctor:
Everyone feels anxious sometimes, but it might be the time to reach out for help, if:
- Your anxiety or fear is interfering with your daily activities
- Your anxiety doesn’t go away or is getting worse
- You feel depressed or have other mental health issues long with anxiety
- You’re having thoughts of self harm or suicide
Learn more about when to seek help for anxiety.
Remember, asking for help is not a sign of weakness— it’s a step towards healing!
Final Thoughts:
Anxiety disorders are more common than you might think, and they can affect anyone. But with the right support and treatment, things can get better.
If you’re struggling, know that you’re not alone and you don’t have to figure it all out by yourself. Reach out and ask for help when you need it. You deserve to feel better!
