At some point in life, everyone experiences the common symptoms of anxiety---racing heart, rapid breathing, sweating and trembling. For some people, anxiety interferes with daily living by affecting relationships and health, according to The National Institutes of Health. Recognizing the causes of anxiety can help you understand why you feel or act a certain way. Seek a physician's care if anxiety has a sustained negative affect on your life.
Panic Attack
A typical panic attack can occur even when you are sleeping and usually lasts 10 minutes, reports the National Institute of Mental Health. Anxiety from a panic attack starts quickly and is characterized by heart palpitations, chest pain and feelings of terror. You may believe you are actually having a heart attack or being smothered. People who suffer frequent panic attacks are often unable to predict when an attack will occur.
Separation Anxiety Disorder
A child may have a separation anxiety disorder if he suffers anxiety related to the absence of a parent or someone who holds a parental role in his life, such as a grandparent. KidsHealth.org reports that a child's temperament often determines whether separation anxiety lasts only a few months or from infancy through elementary school.
Agoraphobia
If you suffer anxiety about places or situations that make you feel trapped you may have agoraphobia. In extreme cases, people with this disorder avoid normal activities like driving or going to the bank, or are only able to do so when accompanied by a loved one or friend.
Specific and Social Phobias
A strong desire to avoid a specific object, such as a car or a type of food, is a specific phobia and can often result in a panic attack, according to The Mayo Clinic. A social phobia occurs when you suffer anxiety upon facing a social situation --- like public speaking or performing in front of a crowd.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
The National Institutes of Health reports that you may have a post-traumatic stress disorder if you feel you are re-experiencing the anxiety of a traumatic event, such as a car accident or physical assault. The anxiety is often so emotionally and physically unpleasant that you may try to avoid any situation that reminds you of the traumatic event. These disorders may not develop for as long as six months.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
The National Institute of Mental Health indicates that a generalized anxiety disorder often begins in childhood and may accompany other anxiety disorders or depression. The disorder is characterized by spending at least six months worrying about matters that may be trivial or substantial. A person with a generalized anxiety disorder may worry about what birthday present to buy for a girlfriend.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Persistent thoughts or impulses to perform irrational or seemingly purposeless acts --- like washing your hair three times or locking and relocking the front door repeatedly---are the characteristics of OCD. In extreme cases, OCD controls a person's life to the extent that she may not be able to maintain steady employment or have normal relationships.
