An Anxiety Disorder is characterized by an extreme sense of fear. There is an anxiousness and nervousness that is unreasonable. One may feel extremely anxious for no apparent reason. There may be paranoid thought patterns and behaviors associated with this disorder. Anxiety Disorders are easily treatable with medication. If left untreated it may develop into a debilitating mental health concern. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) states their data shows that over 19 million adults in the United States are affected by Anxiety Disorder.

Different Types

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, version IV (DSM-IV), there are several sub headings or categories for this disorder. They are as follows:

Panic Disorder:

This type of anxiety disorder is typically characterized by recurrent panic attacks accompanied by intense anxiety between attacks.

Agoraphobia:

This condition is not always accompanied by panic disorder while in some cases it is so. It is a specific type of phobia associated with a fear of getting stuck in any situation or place, where getting help might be difficult or not possible.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD):

This condition is associated with recurrent feelings or undesired thoughts (obsessions) or actions (compulsions), which are beyond any control of the victim. In the past, it is has been believed that OCD is a result of dysfunctional family experiences that have occurred in childhood, recent researchers put emphasis on the neurological base.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD):

This condition develops following a traumatic event or condition, as its name suggests. It is characterized by a persistent frightening thought concerning the traumatic event.

Social Anxiety Disorder:

Other individuals typically observe this condition. Victims who suffer Social Anxiety Disorder fear being out in social situations and fear being watched and evaluated by other individuals. They also fear being humiliated or embarrassed by others.

Specific Phobia:

This condition is characterized by an irrational fear about some objects or events that have no base or rationality for the fear. This is an intense fear experienced by the victims. Nearly 6 million adults in the United States are suffering from specific phobia. It is more common in women than men. The victim of Specific Phobia will avoid being exposed to their specific fear at all costs.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder:

This condition is characterized by a more exaggerated pattern of anxiety and tension than normal people experience in the same situation or encountering the same event or object.

Separation Anxiety Disorder:

Infants or toddlers mostly experience this condition. Separation anxiety disorder is experienced when a child experiences fear of being left by parents or primary caregiver.