Do you experience anxiety? Are you afraid to do things that you could before? Does it prevent you from doing the things you want to do? You are not alone. Several others struggle with anxiety, and it impacts their ability to lead a full life. Some are afraid to leave their homes, or have specific phobias. If this sounds like you, you may have an anxiety disorder. Here are some of the common anxiety disorders.

Common Anxiety Disorders

Social Anxiety

If you are very self-conscious around others, think that others are watching or judging you, and it leads you to avoid certain social situations, you may have social anxiety. This can even with the people you already know. You may realize that the thoughts and fears you are having are not rational, and people are not watching you as much as you think. But this does not make the feelings disappear.

Panic Disorder

If you have experience with panic attacks, that occur for no apparent reason, and come without warning, you may have panic disorder. Common symptoms include racing heart, lightheadedness, tingling hands, shaking, chest pains, or fear of going crazy. Perhaps you fear you are having a heart attack and go to the emergency room. Then find out that the symptoms are due to anxiety. Most people who have had a panic attack dread having another attack, as the feelings are terrifying.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

If you fret for long periods of time, or continuously think about the “what ifs” you may have generalized anxiety disorder. Some people experience depression, as they can’t stop worrying. Perhaps feelings of dread overwhelm them, or there is a fear that something horrible will happen. You may recognize these feelings as being irrational, yet it doesn’t make the feeling go away. It can disrupt the quality of your life. You may have difficulty concentrating or thinking. Perhaps you feel irritable or apprehensive.

Specific Phobia

This occurs when you are afraid of something specific. It may be spiders, snakes, blood, etc. We aren’t talking about a healthy fear, as it is good to be aware of spiders or snakes that are poisonous. Your fear is above and beyond what is normal, and leads to a great deal of distress and avoidance of the item. Recognizing your fear is unfounded is also part of this disorder.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

To get this diagnosis you can have obsessions, compulsions, or both. Obsessions are interfering or useless thoughts that cause anxiety. Compulsions are actions people take to decrease these unwanted thoughts, thinking that they will counteract the thought, or alleviate the anxiety that they cause. You may recognize that these compulsions bring you only slight relief from anxiety, and recognize they are irrational.

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

PTSD can occur after you experience an event where your life was put on the line, or you see this happen to someone else. Flashbacks or nightmares about the event occur on a regular basis. If this happens you may be diagnosed with PTSD. Other symptoms that occur with this disorder include hypervigilence, a quick startle response, avoiding things or places that make you think of the traumatic event, feeling emotionally detached, difficulty sleeping or trouble with concentration.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms of anxiety, and it is impacting the quality of your life, or stopping you from doing the things you want to do, it is time to seek therapy, as you may have one of these anxiety disorders.

Anxiety is one of the main reasons people come to see me. If I can help, please give me a call at 713-304-6554.