Anxiety is a condition characterized by irrational, recurring feelings of nervousness or fear. There are many different types of anxiety disorders, all of which share the same basic features of excessive worry and uneasiness. Understanding the symptoms of common types of anxiety disorders allows you to identify the condition promptly and choose the treatment that's right for you.
Panic Disorder
Panic disorder is characterized by panic attacks followed by an intense fear of recurrences. Symptoms of a panic attack generally come on quickly and include sweating, nausea, hyperventilation, chest pain and trembling. In severe situations, panic disorder may lead to agoraphobia--or a fear of leaving the home--according to Mayo Clinic.
Feelings of exhaustion and depression sometimes follow panic attacks as a result of the physical and mental stress they induce. Treatment for panic disorder often consists of a combination of behavioral and cognitive therapies in conjunction with medications like antidepressants or benzodiazepines.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Obsessive-compulsive disorder--or OCD for short--is an anxiety disorder involving intrusive, repetitive thoughts and compulsive behaviors. In people with OCD, disturbing thoughts or images provoke feelings of anxiety, leading the sufferer to perform ritual behaviors in an attempt to reduce anxiety. Counting, hand-washing and repeatedly checking locks are common compulsions in people with this condition.
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, people with obsessive-compulsive disorder often realize these patterns of thought and behavior are irrational but are unable to stop them. Medications from the SSRI family---such as fluoxetine or fluvoxamine---and tricyclic antidepressants like clomipramine are often prescribed to help treat obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Generalized Anxiety
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is marked by persistent worry about everyday activities and situations. Sufferers of generalized anxiety disorder often experience symptoms ranging from racing thoughts to physical symptoms like nausea and hot flashes. For some people, symptoms begin upon awakening are triggered by the simple thought of facing the day, which can lead to avoidant behavior like absence from work or school.
Left untreated, generalized anxiety disorder can lead to insomnia, impaired concentration and an inability to relax, according to the National Institutes of Health. Antidepressants, benzodiazepines or the anti-anxiety drug buspirone (BuSpar) in combination with psychotherapy may be helpful for individuals with this condition.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, is a form of anxiety that occurs in response to past traumatic events. In PTSD, the central nervous system is chronically overstimulated, leading to symptoms like nightmares, muscle tension and insomnia. Flashbacks--or memories of the traumatic event that triggered the disorder--often cause people with PTSD to relive the experience repeatedly, impairing their ability to function in the present.
According to Mayo Clinic, post-traumatic stress disorder can lead to substance abuse, suicidal tendencies and physical conditions like chronic pain and heart disease. A combination of psychotherapy and medications like antidepressants or benzodiazepines may be beneficial for people with post-traumatic stress disorder.
