An anxiety disorder is a mental health condition that involves intense feelings of fear or worry.
Different types of anxiety disorders affect millions of Americans.
For example, 15 million U.S. adults experience social anxiety disorder, and 6 million experience panic disorder.
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Anxiety disorderscan be challenging and may greatly impact daily life.
Learn about the different types of anxiety disorders, their causes, treatment, coping, and more.
GAD affects nearly 6% of adults at some point in their lives.
This condition is more than twice as common among females than males.
Like GAD, it is not entirely clear what causes panic disorder.
People who experience traumatic events or loss are at an increased risk.
Amental healthprofessional such as a psychiatrist can diagnose this condition with an evaluation that involves asking questions.
Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)
SADinvolves fear or worry related to social interactions.
Women are more likely to experience SAD than men, especially among teens and young women.
Additionally, their symptoms tend to be more severe.
Social anxiety disordersymptoms include:
The specific causes of social anxiety disorder are unclear.
It may run in families, and stress and environmental factors also may play a role.
Similar to other types of anxiety disorders, SAD can be diagnosed by talking with a mental health professional.
Some providers offer virtual appointments, which tend to be easier for people experiencing symptoms of SAD.
Treatment may involve talk therapy, medications, or both.
Symptoms of separation anxiety disorder include:
The causes of separation anxiety disorder are not fully known.
However, sometimes the cause is unrelated to the specific phobia, or the cause is unknown.
Phobias can be evaluated and diagnosed by a mental health professional.Treatmentoptions include talk therapy and exposure therapy.
It affects up to 3 million American adults.
This condition can be diagnosed with an evaluation from a mental health professional such as a psychiatrist.
It is treated withtalk therapy, medications, or both.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
PTSDcan result from experiencing a traumatic event.
It involves a nervous system response after the event has ended and the person is no longer in danger.
PTSD affects about 6% of Americans at some point in their life.
PTSD symptomsinclude:
PTSD is brought on by a past experience of a traumatic event or events.
Risk factors include abuse, accidents, and war.
After an evaluation, this condition can be diagnosed by a mental health professional.
Living With Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disordersare challenging, and often severe enough to impact daily life.
They are also treatable.
Panic disorder involves sudden episodes of intense fear called panic attacks.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder were once considered anxiety disorders, but they are now considered separate conditions.
Anxiety disorders are treatable.
It is important to seek help for these conditions to get relief and prevent further complications.
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