Identifying your Type of Anxiety Disorder

Everyone will feel worried or anxious from time to time. These feelings are completely normal, and can even be helpful when they move us to a necessary action in a particular situation. However, for those suffering from a type of anxiety disorder, those worries can begin to interfere with daily activities and negatively affect your quality of life. When it begins to feel like your anxieties are taking over, it may be time to talk to your doctor about your symptoms. He can help you to determine what type of anxiety disorder you have, and prescribe the best treatment plan for you.

There are many different types of anxiety disorders, and they can vary greatly in terms of symptoms and intensity. This is why it is important to get medical professionals involved, so that they can identify the correct type of anxiety disorder and prescribe treatment options that will be customized to your individual symptoms and situation. This way, you can get back on the road to better mental health and a higher quality of life quickly and effectively. And if you are in the throes of a type of anxiety disorder, you know how important that treatment is in allowing you to get on with your life.

Categories of Anxiety

A generalized anxiety disorder is the type of anxiety disorder that consists of feelings of intense fear and foreboding that can distract you from daily activities. You may experience physical symptoms like headaches, fatigue and an upset stomach. Obsessive compulsive disorder is another type of anxiety disorder that presents itself with obsessive thoughts that will result in compulsive behaviors. This is the type of anxiety disorder that includes a fear of germs and frequent hand washings. A panic disorder will include panic attacks that have physical and psychological symptoms, and will generally last about ten minutes. The disorder develops when you begin to fear the onset of the next panic attack, and this fear begins to get in the way of your daily activities.

Another type of anxiety disorder is phobias, which are irrational fears of a particular activity, object or situation. Separation anxiety, which is usually a common stage of development in children, can become a type of anxiety disorder when it goes beyond a certain age or interferes with daily life. Social anxiety consists of an intense fear of public humiliation that keeps you out of many social situations. Performance anxiety, or stage fright, is a form of social anxiety.

By identifying the type of anxiety disorder that you are suffering from, your doctor will be better able to prescribe an effective treatment plan for you. In many cases, treatment of any type of anxiety disorder will consist of a combination of medication and psychotherapy. With this treatment plan in place, you can enjoy symptom-free days and a more enjoyable quality of life.