Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety is a normal human experience, we can all become tense or nervous at the thought of a stressful event or decision making such as exams, job interviews, moving home, having a baby or getting married. However anxiety disorders can become a problem if the feelings of anxiety are very strong or last for a long time.
Anxiety disorders can include:-
- Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD)
- Panic disorder
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Phobias
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
| GAD | Panic Disorder | Phobias | OCD | PTSD |
| Constant excessive worrying/feeling 'on-edge' | Panic attacks triggered by specific situations | Strong uncontrollable fear of specific situations or objects | Compulsive behaviours to reduce intense feelings of anxiety | Feelings of panic that develop after a traumatic/distressing event |
| Headaches | Sweating | Headaches | Washing hands frequently | Panic attacks |
| Rapid Heart Rate | Trembling | Rapid Heart Rate | Avoiding certain objects/places | Irritability |
| Sleep Disturbances | Shortness of breath | Sleep disturbances | Rechecking things e.g doors lock, plugs turned off | Sleep disturbances |
| Sweating | Palpitations/Chest Pain | Sweating | Arranging things in a particular way | Headaches |
| Nausea | Numbness/Pins & Needles | Nausea | Aches and Pains | |
| Dry Mouth | Light Headedness | Dry Mouth | Avoiding situations that remind them of the event |
If you want to find out more about Anxiety Disorders you can view the fact-sheet from MINDat MIND Anxiety