Anxiety is the most common mental health condition in the world. One of the biggest reasons it’s so common is that there are several different types of anxiety. What worries and plagues you might not be the same experience for someone else, but the feelings all fall beneath the umbrella of anxiety.
With that in mind, it’s important to understand some of the most common types of anxiety. When you’re able to break things down into categories, it’s easier to pinpoint exactly what you’re dealing with.
And, when you’re able to do that, you can get the specific treatment and support you need. Anxiety is manageable with treatment but often won’t go away on its own. Knowing which type of anxiety you’re dealing with will make a big difference.
Let’s look at some of the most common types of anxiety and how therapy can help you deal with any of them.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
The most common form of anxiety is Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). This refers to exaggerated worry or feelings of anxiousness when there is no real basis for it.
If you’re consistently feeling scared or fearful about your life but nothing is provoking you to feel that way, you would likely be diagnosed with GAD.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Most people don’t generally think of OCD as an anxiety disorder, but it is. The unwanted thoughts and obsessions fuel feelings of anxiety, creating a vicious cycle that can be hard to escape.
Someone with OCD might perform “rituals” to find temporary relief. But, the fears and anxious feelings always tend to come back.
Panic Disorder
While feelings of anxiety can cause a rapid heart rate and heavy breathing, panic disorder takes those symptoms to the next level.
This type of anxiety can cause you to experience “attacks”. They cause repeated episodes of fear that feel so intense, it can cause you to experience chest pain and shortness of breath. While these attacks obviously aren’t constant, they can be severe enough to cause lingering issues.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Most people are familiar with the basics of PTSD. But, it affects more individuals than you might think. PTSD can be the result of any kind of trauma, even something that stems from your childhood.
It often causes irrational fear and anxious thoughts when flashbacks are experienced, or when the individual struggling with it deals with some kind of trigger or situation that takes them back to the traumatic event.
Social Anxiety Disorder
Social Anxiety Disorder is more common than people think. Simply put, it’s the fear of being in social situations. You might feel extremely self-conscious and uncomfortable being around others, especially when you have to go somewhere new or interact with multiple people.
Social anxiety often causes the people struggling with it to think the worst possible scenarios when dealing with others, which can make it a crippling disorder.
How Can Therapy Help?
No matter what type of anxiety you’re dealing with, therapy is one of the best ways to manage your symptoms and get control over the disorder.
One of the reasons why it’s so hard to “get over” anxiety on your own is because most people don’t look at the root cause. A therapist can help you dig through the layers of your fears and worries to determine what’s triggering your anxiety and what caused it in the first place.
That should always be your starting point, and having a professional help you find it is important. Once you have a better understanding of the underlying cause of your anxiety, you can work through it.
No matter what type of anxiety you’re dealing with, know that you don’t have to go through it alone. Therapy can make a big difference, and it will allow you to take control of your life again. You can learn more about treatment for anxiety here. Feel free to contact me for a complimentary 20 minute consultation call.
