Anxiety Disorder: Types

Generalized disorder

Generalized disorder is a common chronic disorder that affects twice as many women as men and can lead to considerable impairment (Brawman-Mintzer & Lydiard, 1996, 1997). As the name implies, generalized disorder is characterized by long-lasting that is not focused on any particular object or situation. In other words it is unspecific or free-floating. People with this disorder feel afraid of something but are unable to articulate the specific fear. They fret constantly and have a hard time controlling their worries. Because of persistent muscle tension and autonomic fear reactions, they may develop headaches, heart palpitations, dizziness, and insomnia. These physical symptoms, combined with the intense, long-term , make it difficult to cope with normal daily activities.

In , a person suffers brief attacks of intense terror and apprehension that cause trembling and shaking, confusion, dizziness, nausea, difficulty breathing, and feelings of impending doom or a situation that would be embarrassing. One who is often plagued by sudden bouts of intense might be said to be afflicted by this disorder. The American Psychiatric Association (2000) defines a as fear or discomfort that arises abruptly and peaks in 10 minutes or less, and can occasionally last hours.

Although panic attacks sometimes seem to occur out of nowhere, they generally happen after frightening experiences, prolonged stress, or even exercise. Many people who have panic attacks (especially their first one) think they are having a and often end up at the doctor or emergency room. Even if the tests all come back normal the person will still worry, with the of only reinforcing their fear that something is wrong with their body. Heightened awareness (hypervigilance) of any change in the normal function of the human body will be noticed and interpreted as a possible life threatening illness by an individual suffering from panic attacks.

Normal changes in heartbeat, such as when climbing a flight of stairs will be noticed by a panic sufferer and lead them to think something is wrong with their heart or they are about to have another . Some begin to worry excessively and even quit jobs or refuse to leave home to avoid future attacks. can be diagnosed when several apparently spontaneous attacks lead to a persistent concern about future attacks.

Agoraphobia

A common complication of is agoraphobia, about being in a place or situation where escape is difficult or embarrassing (Craske, 2000; Gorman, 2000). It seems that the definition of the word has expanded to refer to avoidance behaviors that sufferers often develop. If a sufferer of panic attacks seems to have them while driving, for example, then he or she may avoid driving, which relieves the , and subsequently makes future driving more difficult, as a result of behavioral reinforcement.

Phobias

This category involves a strong, irrational fear and avoidance of an object or situation. The person knows the fear is irrational, yet the remains. Phobic disorders differ from generalized disorders and panic disorders because there is a specific stimulus or situation that elicits a strong fear response. A person suffering from a phobia of spiders might feel so frightened by a spider that he or she would try to jump out of a speeding car to get away from one.

People with phobias have especially powerful imaginations, so they vividly anticipate terrifying consequences from encountering such feared objects as knives, bridges, blood, enclosed places, certain animals or situations. These individuals generally recognize that their fears are excessive and unreasonable but are generally unable to control their .

Social disorder

Social disorder is also known as social phobia. Individuals with this disorder experience intense fear of being negatively evaluated by others or of being publicly embarrassed because of impulsive acts. Almost everyone experiences “stage fright” when speaking or performing in front of a group. Since occasionally there are artists or performers with social disorder who are able to perform publicly without significant , their love of performing and practicing their art may be diminishing their . Even such high-functioning phobics such as Glenn Gould experience in performance. But people with social phobias often become so anxious that performance, if they are not natural performers, such as children playing musical instruments from a young age, is out of the question. In fact, their fear of public scrutiny and potential humiliation becomes so pervasive that normal life can become impossible (den Boer 2000; Margolis & Swartz, 2001). Another social phobia is love-shyness, which most adversely affects certain men. Those afflicted find themselves unable to initiate intimate adult relationships (Gilmartin 1987).

Obsessive-compulsive disorder

Obsessive compulsive disorder is a type of disorder primarily characterized by obsessions and/or compulsions. Obsessions are distressing, repetitive, intrusive thoughts or images that the individual often realizes are senseless. Compulsions are repetitive behaviors that the person feels forced or compelled into doing, sometimes, in order to relieve . The OCD thought pattern may be likened to superstitions: if X is done, Y won’t happen—in spite of how unlikely it may be that doing X will actually prevent Y, if Y is even a real threat to begin with. A common example of this behavior would be obsessing that one’s door is unlocked, which may lead to compulsive constant checking and rechecking of doors. Another example is obsession with the state of one’s personal items, such as eyeglasses, leading to their excessive cleaning or adjustment. Often the process seems much less logical. For example, the compulsion of walking in a certain pattern may be employed to alleviate the obsession that something bad is about to happen. More often, though, the compulsion is inexplicable, simply an urge to complete a ritual triggered by nervousness. Light switches and other household items are also common objects of obsession.

Post-traumatic stress disorder

Post-traumatic stress disorder is an disorder which results from a traumatic experience. Post-traumatic stress can result from an extreme situation, such as being involved in warfare, rape, hostage situations, or involvement in a serious accident. It can also result from long term (chronic) exposure to a severe stressor,[2] for example soldiers who endure individual battles but cannot cope with an unceasing sequence of battles. The sufferer may experience flashbacks, avoidant behavior, and other symptoms.

Separation

Separation disorder is the feeling of excessive and inappropriate levels of over being separated from an attachment figure or from a person or place that gives a feeling of safety. While it is seen mostly in children (for example on being left at school) it is also seen in adolescents and adults.

Separation itself is a normal part of development in babies or children. It is only when this feeling is excessive or inappropriate that it can be considered a disorder.

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April 23, 2008 | Filed Under Mental Disorders 

Comments

One Response to “Anxiety Disorder: Types”

  1. Detroit on May 23rd, 2008 10:36 am

    We are what we repeatedly do.

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