Wondering what kinds of anxiety disorders you should know of? Let guest contributor Diana be your guide!
Anxiety can be debilitating for many people. It also shows itself in many different ways. Depending on your situation and mental health it will affect everyone differently. In me, it shows up as panic and picking at myself. If I have a scab or a cut I pick it over and over until it is infected. I just can’t seem to help myself. I panic over things that are not even happening. I panic because I fear what «may» happen. Here are some other disorders you should be aware of.
If you have this type you may suddenly have a feeling of sheer terror. You may think you are having a heart attack. This can happen suddenly and over and over with no warning. You will feel like you are losing it and going crazy.
People with OCD have constant thoughts or fears that cause them to perform certain rituals or routines. The thoughts are called obsessions, and the rituals are called compulsions. An example is a person with an unreasonable fear of germs who constantly washes his or her hands. You may also turn a light switch off and on many times or make sure the doors are locked over and over.
PTSD can happen after a traumatic or terrifying event. It can be from a sexual or physical assault, a death in your family, or terrifying events like going to war. There are a lot of soldiers coming home with PTSD. Even a natural disaster like an earthquake or tornado can trigger PTSD.
This disorder leaves a person with a fear of social settings. Excessive worrying and self-consciousness about any social situation affects someone that has this. Most likely you will isolate yourself and stay inside. The fear is that you will be judged by others or you may do something embarrassing.
This type of anxiety is when you are afraid of spiders, heights, flying in an airplane, etc. It can be anything that causes a paralyzing fear in you. The anxiety level is so high that you just cannot be around nor do the thing that you fear. Your fear is usually inappropriate to the situation and can cause you to avoid common daily situations.
With this disorder you will have excessive and unrealistic worry and tension. There is nothing that provokes your anxiety. The anxiety is just there.
This is when someone is dependent on another person for their happiness. You will spend much of your time trying to please others around you. This can make your anxiety worse because you do nothing for yourself. You are afraid to be alone and are extremely over-sensitive.
Anxiety disorders affect 19 million adults in the United States. Symptoms of anxiety disorders are varied. You can have uncontrollable thoughts, nightmares, problems sleeping, cold and sweaty hands. Some people constantly worry and think the worst is always going to happen. There is help out there though if you choose it. I take medications that help me tremendously. There is also psychotherapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. For some people, dietary and lifestyle changes help. There is also relaxation therapy. You can be helped and you can feel better.