Forms of Anxiety
Generalised Anxiety Disorder
It is known that at some point in each person's life they experience some form of Generalised Anxiety. The unwarranted lack of ability to shake off stress and worry can manifest itself into Anxiety. Anything you find difficult to deal with can trigger nervousness and anticipation but if the feelings are more intense and prominent than you feel the situation need cause, you are most likely to be suffering from this disorder.
If you feel the symptoms of excessive worry have been prominent for approximately six months you should contact your GP for a formal diagnosis.
Symptoms of Generalised Anxiety Disorder include:
- Exaggerated Worry
- Shaking
- Nervousness
- Irritability
Generalised Anxiety Disorder is among the most common treatable mental disorders and behavioral therapy and/or relaxation techniques are the most common treatment for this disorder.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Otherwise known as OCD, this is a psychiatric disorder which is often used to describe people in an offhand manner for being an extremely meticulous person. Although this is not entirely incorrect, a person suffering from this disorder is often characterized for their obsessive, intrusive thoughts and related compulsions. This rituals when performed attempt to neutralize the obsession some what and create a feeling of control.
Someone carrying such traits as perfectionism or fixation are not necessarily suffering from OCD; you must have either obsessions and/or compulsions and the individual must realize these are excessive.
Symptoms of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder include:
- Persistent Thoughts/Impulses
- Reoccurring Images
- Repetitive Behaviors
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder usually responds well to certain medications but exposure based psychotherapy has proven most beneficial to individuals suffering from a common compulsion.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
This is caused by a terrible ordeal that generally involves physical harm or the threat of physical harm. Elevated stress at this level is caused usually by a person being harmed themselves or being witness to a harmful event. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder was originally recognised and brought to out attention by war veterans, although it can be induced by any variety of traumatic incidents including natural disasters.
Not every person Involved in a traumatic incident develops Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. The symptoms would usually take form within three months of the incident but in rare cases they may not initially take affect for some years.
Symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Easily Startled
- Emotionally Numb
- Irritable
- Aggressive
A combination of psychotherapy and anti-depressants are most frequently used to treat Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Social Anxiety Disorder
Social Anxiety Disorder is a fear of people and social situations which is typically caused by not wanting to be judged negatively, embarrassed or criticized, be it publicly or on a one to one level. People with this condition dread everyday activities such as working, school, shopping and generally socialising. This forms such an ordeal with them as they are marked by persistent feelings of anxiety and self consciousness.
More specific deeper rooted causes are the phobia of speaking in public, eating in public and dealing with authority figures.
Symptoms of Social Anxiety Disorder
- Trembling
- Blushing
- Sweating
Treatment for Social Anxiety Disorder involves psychological counseling and, depending on the severity of this condition, medications such as anti-depressants will be issued.
Panic Disorder
Whilst suffering from panic disorder you are susceptible to having feelings of terror that strike suddenly and repeatedly with no warning. It is likely that you will suffer from anxiety between episodes due to the fact you can not predict when the next attack will occur. Because of the unpredictability of this and the constant worry it is very common for depression or alcoholism to accompany this type of disorder. Panic Disorder often causes a phobia of the specific place your panic attack previously occurred and may cause you to avoid such a place again.
Panic disorder often affects young adults between the age of 18 and 24 and can last from a few months through to many years depending on how the symptoms are treated.
Symptoms of Panic Disorder
- Dizziness
- Shaking
- Elevated Heart Beat
- Trouble Breathing
In most cases medication is issued and the panic attacks will clear in a matter of weeks, but in other instances counseling may be required to help you cope with reoccurring panic attacks.
