Types of anxiety and when treatment becomes necessary?

What are types of anxiety disorder commonly encountered?

The main types of anxiety disorders are the :

Generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by at least six months of persistent and excessive anxiety and worry in an individual.

Panic disorder has features of recurrent, unexpected panic attacks and worries about having more.

Agoraphobia is the fear of being in places or circumstances where escape may be difficult or embarrassing. Agoraphobia is often associated with concerns about having a panic attack.

Phobias, which include specific phobias and social phobia, are diagnosed when clinically significant anxiety occurs upon exposure to the feared entity or circumstances, and this fear often leads to avoidance of the entity or circumstances.


Obsessive-compulsive disorder is characterized by obsessions, which are interfering thoughts and impulses (e.g., thoughts about contamination) causing considerable anxiety, and compulsions, which are repetitive acts (e.g., excessive hand-washing) used to fight off that anxiety.

Post traumatic stress disorder and acute stress disorder involve the re-experiencing of an extremely traumatic event.


When medical treatment become necessary for anxiety?

Anxiety becomes a disorder when it seriously impairs your ability to work, love, or play. Too much anxiety also takes its toll on your body. These are some symptoms that spoil functioning and hint the need for treatment:

• You become exhausted or easily fatigued.
• You have trouble thinking through standard problems like how to sequence the responsibilities of the day.
• You are so tense that you can’t experience comfort, joy, or a sense of accomplishment.
• You engage in special rituals to fend off invasive thoughts or images.
• Your symptoms convince you that you’re dying or losing your mind.
• Preoccupation with anxiety impairs your productivity.
• You dread and avoid common social situations such as going out in public, with friends, or even to work.
• You are so much worried that it is difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep.
• Emotional tension percolates into your skeletal muscles, make you stiff, tense, and aching.
• You avoid everyday tasks and responsibilities out of fear of having a panic attack.

If you have trouble in performance, you will ultimately worry more, and a vicious cycle is set in motion. Treatment is essential to interrupt the cycle, provide hope, and restore functioning.