There are many types of anxiety disorders. Panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, social anxiety disorder and generalized anxiety disorder are all included under the umbrella of anxiety disorders, but each has its own specific set of symptoms. Although these disorders may share common mental anxiety symptoms, there are also mental anxiety symptoms that are specific to each disorder.
Common Mental Anxiety Symptoms
Although each anxiety disorder may have its own specific set of symptoms, there is a common thread of mental anxiety symptoms that runs through them all. The biggest mental signs of anxiety include irrational worrying, nervousness and fear, according to HelpGuide.org, but feelings of apprehension or dread, feeling tense or jumpy, irritability, restlessness, watching for signs of danger and difficulty concentrating may also occur.
General Anxiety Disorder
Generalized anxiety disorder is diagnosed when a person worries excessively about everyday problems or occurrences for a period of at least six months, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Worry, difficulty concentrating, nervousness and mental unease are the biggest mental symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder.
Social Anxiety Disorder
People with social anxiety disorder are exceedingly fearful of social situations or the potential of being embarrassed or humiliated in front of other people. The biggest mental anxiety symptom of social anxiety disorder is the intense, chronic fear of being judged by other people. This fear can be so extreme that it may interfere with daily life and cause the person a great deal of emotional distress, according to HelpGuide.org.
Panic Disorder
Fear is the main mental anxiety symptom that occurs with a panic disorder. People with panic disorder usually fear the physical symptoms of a panic attack, which can include a pounding heart, excessive sweating, shortness of breath, weakness, faintness or dizziness. This mental symptom of fear can interfere with daily living and be quite serious.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
People with obsessive-compulsive disorder use rituals to attempt to control their constant worries and obsessive thoughts. Worry and obsessive thoughts are the main mental anxiety symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Some common obsessions of people with obsessive-compulsive disorder can include thoughts of violence, loved ones dying or being hurt, sexual acts or other thoughts that are religiously unacceptable to the person, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Contrary to many people's beliefs, post-traumatic stress disorder does not just affect people in the military, but instead can affect anyone that has been through a trauma. The main mental symptom of this particularly anxiety disorder is experiencing thoughts or flashbacks of the trauma. Sights, sounds, smells and feelings that were experienced during the trauma are experienced again and can be so severe that the person believes the trauma is actually happening again. Other mental symptoms include startling easily, becoming emotionally numb or irritable, and a loss of interest in previously enjoyable things.
