Anxiety disorders are mental illnesses that cause persistent, excessive and sometimes irrational fear, worry and nervousness. San Diego anxiety includes generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder and simple phobia. Anxiety disorders are characterized by excessive worry and anxiety about a wide range of personal or social situations, such as school exams or performance at work. The most common anxiety disorders are:
Social anxiety disorder
Social anxiety disorder (previously known as social phobia) is a type of anxiety disorder characterized by overwhelming fears of performing in front of other people and avoiding situations in which this occurs. Social anxiety can affect one’s ability to speak in public and interact with others at work or school, although it can also be present when meeting with friends or family members away from these settings. It can also cause avoidance of eye contact and other forms of communication; however, some individuals with social anxiety become highly sociable and engage in conversation without the problem.
Panic disorder, with or without agoraphobia
Panic disorder, with or without agoraphobia, is the most common type of anxiety disorder. It lasts longer than six months and is characterized by repeated panic attacks that are not caused by another medical condition. Panic attacks are sudden, unexpected episodes of intense fear or discomfort caused by a sense of danger. The most common triggers for panic attacks are physical sensations such as dizziness, lightheadedness and chest pain.
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
Generalized anxiety disorder is a type of anxiety disorder involving excessive worry about many different topics that have little to do with each other. For example, a person suffering from GAD might worry about their finances but also about how well they will do on a test. GAD often leads to physical symptoms such as muscle tension and headaches.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition that involves repetitive, unwanted thoughts and behaviors. People with this condition have obsessions (unwanted, intrusive thoughts or ideas) and compulsions (behavior that helps people to reduce the discomfort caused by their obsessions). It most commonly affects people between the ages of 15 and 25 but can occur at any age.
Some common obsessions include:
- Fear of germs
- Fear of contamination or being contaminated
- Fear of losing control of one’s body
- Fear of hurting others or oneself or having harm come to others or oneself
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can develop after a person experiences or witnesses a traumatic event, such as military combat, public violence, or natural disasters. The symptoms of PTSD include intrusive thoughts and memories of the event, avoidance of anything that reminds the person of the trauma, and increased arousal.
Individuals with PTSD may experience physical symptoms such as chest pain or difficulty breathing; emotional symptoms such as irritability and anger; and cognitive changes such as poor concentration and memory problems.
Anxiety disorders are common, and many people experience symptoms for years before seeking treatment. If you think you might have an anxiety disorder, or if you think you have symptoms of an anxiety disorder and aren’t sure whether they’re a medical condition or just normal reactions to stress, contact MindSet today to talk to your doctor.
