What are anxiety disorders?
An anxiety disorder is a type of mental health condition. If you have an anxiety disorder, you might react to certain situations with intense fear and dread. Physical signs of anxiety can include a racing heart and sweating.
Feeling anxious at times is normal. You may feel nervous when facing a problem at work, attending an interview, taking a test, or making an important decision. Some anxiety can even be helpful, as it alerts us to danger and helps us focus our attention to stay safe.
However, an anxiety disorder goes beyond typical nervousness or occasional fear. It occurs when:
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Anxiety interferes with your daily functioning.
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Your reactions are often disproportionate to the situation (overreacting).
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You are unable to control your responses to situations.
Anxiety disorders can affect children, adolescents, and adults. Women are roughly twice as likely to experience them as men.
Types of anxiety disorders
There are several types of anxiety disorders. This is the standard reference manual for diagnosing mental health conditions. Types of anxiety disorders include:
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Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD): This condition causes fear, worry and a constant feeling of being overwhelmed. It’s characterised by excessive, frequent and unrealistic worry about everyday things, such as job responsibilities, health or chores.
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Agoraphobia: This condition causes an intense fear of becoming overwhelmed or unable to escape or get help. People with agoraphobia often avoid new places and unfamiliar situations, like large, open areas or enclosed spaces, crowds and places outside of their homes.
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Panic disorder: This condition involves multiple unexpected panic attacks. A main feature of the condition is that the attacks usually happen without warning and aren’t due to another mental health or physical condition. Some people with panic disorder also have agoraphobia.
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Specific phobias: A phobia is when something causes you to feel fear or anxiety that’s so severe it consistently and overwhelmingly disrupts your life. There are hundreds of different types of phobias, and there’s one diagnosis for almost all of them: specific phobia. Only one phobia, agoraphobia, is a distinct diagnosis.
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Social anxiety disorder: This condition (formerly known as social phobia) happens when you experience intense and ongoing fear of being judged negatively and/or watched by others.
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Separation anxiety disorder: This condition happens when you feel excessive anxiety when you’re separated from a loved one, like a primary caregiver. While separation anxiety in babies and toddlers is a normal stage of development, separation anxiety disorder can affect children and adults.
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Selective mutism: This condition happens when you don’t talk in certain situations because of fear or anxiety. It usually affects young children, but it can also affect adolescents and adults.
ANXIETY DISORDERS
SYMPTOMS & CAUSES
Symptoms of anxiety disorders vary depending on the type
Psychological symptoms may include:
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Feeling panic, fear, dread and uneasiness.
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Feeling on edge or irritable.
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Uncontrollable, obsessive thoughts.
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Difficulty concentrating.
Physical symptoms may include:
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Restlessness.
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Muscle tension.
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Cold or sweaty hands.
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Numbness or tingling in your hands or feet.
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Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep (insomnia).
It’s important to talk to your healthcare provider or a mental health professional if you frequently experience these symptoms.
Causes of anxiety disorders
Like other types of mental health conditions, researchers don’t know exactly what causes anxiety disorders. But they think a combination of factors plays a role:
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Chemical imbalances: Several neurotransmitters and hormones play a role in anxiety, including norepinephrine, serotonin, dopamine and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Imbalances in these chemicals can contribute to an anxiety disorder.
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Brain changes: A part of your brain called the amygdala plays an important role in managing fear and anxiety. Studies show that people with anxiety disorders show increased amygdala activity in response to anxiety cues.
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Genetics: Anxiety disorders tend to run in biological families. This suggests that genetics may play a role. You may be at an increased risk of developing one if you have a first-degree relative (biological parent or sibling) with an anxiety disorder.
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Environmental factors: Severe or long-lasting stress can change the balance of neurotransmitters that control your mood. Experiencing a lot of stress over a long period can contribute to an anxiety disorder. Experiencing a traumatic event can also trigger anxiety disorders.