The Different Types of Anxiety Disorders That Are Diagnosed Today

Around fifteen percent of Americans struggled with some symptoms of anxiety in the past year.

But, not everyone’s anxiety looks the same. Anxiety can be caused by the current circumstances of your life, or it could be caused by an ongoing anxiety disorder.

So how do you figure out what type of anxiety disorder you have? And how do you start to feel better?

Let’s go through the different types of anxiety disorders.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

If you feel worried, overall, on a regular basis, you might be struggling with generalized anxiety disorder.

Some of your generalized anxiety disorder symptoms can be managed with therapy and/or medication. But, you may also want to try out different self-care methods to help with your anxiety.

If you’re religious, for example, you may want to try out a prayer for anxiety.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

People who have suffered from traumatic experiences often develop post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. PTSD is common in military veterans, but they’re not the only people who can develop the disorder. PTSD symptoms usually develop soon after the incident that triggers it.

People with PTSD may suffer from nightmares and sleep disturbances, and can even find themselves having flashbacks.

They may find themselves on edge in public places, constantly worried that another traumatic incident will occur. PTSD can be treated like other anxiety disorders, but in severe cases, experimental treatments might be required.

Phobias

If your anxiety is triggered by a specific fear, you’re probably suffering from a phobia-based panic disorder. These phobias can impact your life, as you may change your lifestyle in order to not trigger your phobia.

Agoraphobia, for example, is one common phobia that in severe cases can prevent people from even leaving their homes. Some other common phobias include:

• Claustrophobia
• Social Anxiety
• Blood
• Weather events, like thunderstorms
• Body changes (like gaining or losing weight)
• Doctors or medical situations

There are lots of treatment options available for those suffering from phobia-related anxiety. Your therapist can run down some different therapies and help you find one that works for you.

Panic Disorders

Sometimes, your anxiety escalates to the point of a panic attack. People who find this happening on a regular basis are likely suffering from a panic disorder.

Panic attacks are episodes where you may find your heart racing, feel yourself hyperventilating, and feel detached from what’s around youalong with other symptoms. They can be very scary, particularly when you don’t know what they are.

People with any anxiety disorder can suffer from a panic attackbut, if they’re happening frequently and without warning, there’s likely a bigger problem going on.

Types of Anxiety Disorders: Now You Know

Now that you’re aware of the different types of anxiety disorders, you may have a better idea of what you’ve been struggling with.

Do you need more help with your mental health? Scroll through some of our other incredibly helpful posts.