This is the form of the disorder that brings on sudden attacks that paralyze you with fear for no apparent reason.
Of course there are underlying factors that cause these attacks, however, the sufferer rarely knows what those are, unless they seek professional help from a family physician or a clinical specialist who is trained to deal with this type of disorder.
Most common symptoms of the attacks would be:• Dizziness
• Feeling faint
• Increased breathing
• Pounding heart.
• Tingling or numbing sensations in the hands and feet
• Fear of impending doom.
• Disconnection with reality
• Lack or loss of control.
Anxiety/Panic Disorder is often associated with other serious disorders such as depression. Because attacks associated with this disorder are such terrifying events, the sufferer may make several trips to the local emergency room not really knowing the true cause as it may be difficult to get a correct diagnosis at first.
This disorder can be very debilitating to the sufferer and can seriously hinder their daily activities. If a sufferer experiences an attack while driving, they will avoid driving to avoid having another attack. This can be true of any type of daily activity such as grocery shopping, doing dishes, watching television, etc.
However, this form of disorder is the most treatable of all the anxiety disorders, and so an individual experiencing, or believe they are experiencing symptoms of this disorder should seek help and effective treatment through their chosen health care professional.
Social anxiety disorderThis type of disorder more commonly strikes when a sufferer is within a social setting.
It is also referred to as Social Phobia and can be a very traumatic and debilitating disorder making it near impossible for one afflicted with it to be comfortable at any social gathering. This includes everyday functions such as attending class, going out to dinner at a restaurant, or even going to work.
The person suffering from this disorder has strong self-conscious issues and may often times feel as if they are not welcome, or really a part of the social setting. They feel as if they are constantly being judged or watched by others for no apparent reason other than those things they themselves feel self-conscious about.
The social settings can be those that occur on a daily basis, or those that are rare occurrences, such as a party, public speaking events, etc. Often times, the sufferer will experience any of the following symptoms when placed in social gatherings:
• Profuse sweating.
• Trembling or shaking.
• Feeling sick to their stomachs.
• Inability to speak, or blushing.
A person suffering from this type of disorder can become so upset by an upcoming social event that it will plague them for weeks in advance working them into an anxious frenzy by the time the event finally comes around.
In an attempt to 'self-medicate', a person experiencing this disorder will often times turn to alcohol or drugs to cope which usually leads to even more problems.Anxiety disorder usually starts sometime during early childhood or adolescence and continues throughout adulthood.
Treatment for this disorder can be accomplished through careful and consistent counseling and medication.
General anxiety disorder
This disorder is a heightened sense of anxiety or worry experienced on a daily basis. It’s a chronic disorder which is continuous throughout the sufferer’s day. They experience difficulty concentrating or constant, excessive worry about every day concerns with an inability to control those overwhelming feelings of worry.
Symptoms can also include:• Increased nervousness
• Irritability
• Fatigue
• Restlessness.
While not as extreme a condition such as Anxiety/Panic Disorder, it is still a serious illness that requires professional treatment from a qualified health care provider or counselor.