There are many different types of anxiety disorders that we see in clinical practice – some clients have specific phobias (such as the fear of flying or public speaking), while others may have social anxiety, general anxiety, obsessive compulsions, or post-traumatic stress, and more.
Here are some signs that you may be suffering from anxiety or an anxiety disorder:
A chronic sense of vague uneasiness that may make you feel nervous, worried or afraid.
A combination of emotional or physical tension that makes you feel uptight and not your usual self.
Feelings of being “keyed up” or restless, often impacting your relationships and your ability to concentrate or sleep properly.
The feelings of anxiety are not attributable to substance use or other medical disorders and they interfere with your day to day functioning and may lead you to avoid certain situations and cause negative impacts in your life.
And here is more information on specific anxiety disorders:
Generalized Anxiety
Involves non-specific, excessive and pervasive worry about everyday life, often in many different areas leading to negative impacts to overall quality of life. An important aspect of GAD is that it may not be better explained by other medical conditions and it is not attributable to the physiological effects of substance use or medications.
Social Anxiety
An intense and sometimes debilitating sense of unease or self-consciousness in social situations with fear of judgment or appraisal from others often leading to avoidance of social situations.
Panic Disorder
Symptoms may be similar to Generalized Anxiety but will include various additional intense physical symptoms such as a racing or pounding heartbeat, excessive sweating, chest pain, a sensation of choking or impending doom and induce a sense of panic or fear of dying.
Phobias
Marked fear or anxiety about a specific object or situation which almost always provokes immediate fear or aversion. This fear is out of proportion to the actual danger posed by the object or situation. Examples include, intense fear of heights, needles, germs etc.
Separation Anxiety
A persistent fear of being away from home or without an attachment figure, usually causes significant distress and poses difficulty going to school or work due to the separation.
People with separation anxiety disorder are prone to nightmares or intense worry about unwelcome events happening to those who they are close to.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Although OCD is in a category all of its own, like other anxiety disorders, it causes marked negative impacts in one’s functioning in life and often leads to excessive avoidance or interruption to normal day-to-day behaviours. OCD is marked by distinct obsessional preoccupations or worries and also specific behaviours that the sufferer feels compelled to do, aimed at coping with the anxiety.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Also in a category of its own, PTSD is a condition that stems from seriously traumatic experiences and leads to marked distress and impaired functioning in life. Hallmark symptoms include sudden intrusive thoughts about the traumatic events and hyper-reactivity to triggers that remind one of the original events. PTSD sufferers often experience difficulty with their mood, emotional regulation, and are prone to substance use and difficulty coping with stress.
How Therapy Can Help With Anxiety
