There are several types of anxiety disorders, each with its own unique symptoms and characteristics.
1. Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
Generalized anxiety disorder includes persistent and excessive anxiety and worry about activities or events — even ordinary, routine issues. The worry is out of proportion to the actual circumstance, is difficult to control and affects how you feel physically. It often occurs along with other anxiety disorders or depression. Physical symptoms may include rapid heartbeat, sweating, and difficulty sleeping.
2. Panic disorder
Panic disorder involves repeated episodes of sudden feelings of intense anxiety and fear or terror that reach a peak within minutes (panic attacks). You may have feelings of impending doom, shortness of breath, chest pain, or a rapid, fluttering or pounding heart (heart palpitations). These panic attacks may lead to worrying about them happening again or avoiding situations in which they’ve occurred.
3. Social anxiety disorder
Also known as social phobia, this type of anxiety involves intense fear and avoidance of social situations. People with social anxiety disorder may feel very self-conscious and anxious in social situations and may fear being judged or embarrassed.
4. Specific phobias
These are intense fears of specific objects or situations, such as heights, flying, or spiders. People with specific phobias may go to great lengths to avoid the object or situation they fear, and may experience panic or extreme distress when exposed to it.
5. Agoraphobia
This involves fear of being in situations where escape may be difficult or embarrassing. This can include situations such as being in a crowded place, being in an open space, or being outside of the home. People with agoraphobia may avoid these situations and may feel trapped or helpless when exposed to them.
6. Separation anxiety disorder
This is characterized by excessive anxiety about separation from loved ones. This can include fear of being alone, fear of being away from home, or fear of being separated from a specific person. People with separation anxiety disorder may have difficulty sleeping or going to school or work when separated from their loved ones.
Overall, anxiety disorders can cause intense and often overwhelming feelings of fear, worry, and panic. It is important for people with anxiety disorders to seek help from a mental health professional, who can help them develop coping strategies and treatment plans to manage their symptoms.