Do you often feel nervous or apprehensive and worry that there is something wrong with you. It is possible that you are suffering from an anxiety disorder and don’t even realize it. There are physical symptoms as well as emotional signs and symptoms. Here we are going to go over those symptoms as well as go over the main types of anxiety disorders. Understanding and recognizing the signs and symptoms of anxiety will help you get the treatment you need.
Emotional Symptoms
Many people are aware of some of the main symptoms associated with anxiety disorders which are fear and worry, but there are other symptoms as well. These can include a feeling of uneasiness, dread or apprehension even over the littlest of things. You may also have problems concentrating or you may avoid things out of fear. You may also experience feelings of restlessness or edginess, irritability, self conscious and insecure as well as feelings of nervousness. People that are dealing with anxiety issues also fear that they are going to die or that they are crazy. Understand that it isn’t one of these feelings, but a combination of many of them.
Physical Symptoms
Anxiety has physical manifestations as well. You may be experiencing chest pain, palpitations, cold and clammy hands, shortness of breath, headaches, dizziness. These are the common physical symptoms of a person having an anxiety attack. The severity of your symptoms can and will vary. If you find that you are experiencing a number of the above mentioned signs and symptoms then call your doctor to discuss the possibility of having anxiety issues.
Types of Anxiety Disorders
You also need to know that there isn’t just one anxiety disorder, there are actually five main anxiety disorders. The first is a Generalized Anxiety Disorder and this disorder is characterized by chronic anxiety, exaggerated tension and worry. And these feelings can be provoked by nothing.
Obsessive-compulsive Disorder is another type of anxiety disorder and is characterized by recurrent, repetitive behaviors and unwanted thoughts. This can include hand washing, checking or counting in hopes that you are going to prevent something bad from happening.
Panic disorders are also anxiety disorders. A panic disorder is characterized by repeated and unexpected episodes of intense fear and this fear is then linked to many of the above mentioned physical manifestations.
Most everyone has heard of PTSD or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. This anxiety disorder is most often developed after a person has under gone traumatic incidents in their life. These incidents include accidents, military combat, natural or human caused disasters and violent personal assaults.
The fifth main type of anxiety disorder is Social Anxiety Disorder. This disorder is characterized by overwhelming feelings of anxiety and extreme feelings of being self conscious in typical everyday social encounters.
When you consider that fact that 12 million people in America are dealing with anxiety disorders, it is worth making yourself aware of the signs and symptoms associated with the various anxiety disorders. The good news is that if you do suffer from an anxiety disorder there is treatment available to you and there are support groups to help you deal with your symptoms. Talk with your doctor.