Employee Resources
Types of Anxiety Disorders
The most common anxiety disorders are listed below.
- PHOBIA. An intense, irrational fear of a particular thing, most commonly escalators, closed-in spaces, heights, tunnels, dogs, highway driving, water, flying and blood. Phobias are often caused by panic disorder.
- PANIC DISORDER. Feelings of terror that strike suddenly and repeatedly without warning are symptoms of panic disorder. Your heart maypound; you may feel sweaty, weak, faint, dizzy, nauseous, flushed orchilled; your hands may tingle or feel numb; you may have chest painor smothering sensations, as well as a sense of unreality or impendingdoom or a fear of loss of control. Attacks usually peak within 10 minutes,but symptoms may last longer and can occur at any time —even during sleep.
- SOCIAL PHOBIA (ALSO CALLED SOCIAL ANXIETY DISORDER). Involves a persistent, intense fear of being watched and judged by others and being embarrassed by one’s own actions such as speaking in public or meeting new people. You may blush, sweat profusely, tremble and experience nausea and difficulty talking.
- OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER (OCD). People with OCD have anxious or disturbing thoughts (called “obsessions”) and/or engage in rituals or repetitive activities (called “compulsions”) to avoid anxiety. You may be preoccupied by order or obsess about germs or have thoughts of performing unacceptable actions. If the recurrent thoughts or actions are distressing or interfere with getting things done, seek help.
- GENERALIZED ANXIETY DISORDER (GAD). Anticipating disaster and worrying excessively about health, money, family, or work are symptoms of GAD. Other symptoms include fatigue, headaches, muscle tension, muscle aches, difficulty swallowing, trembling, twitching, irritability, sweating and hot flashes. You may also feel nauseated, have to go to the bathroom frequently and have difficulty concentrating or sleeping.
- POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD). PTSD is a debilitating condition that can develop after a terrifying event. You may experience persistent frightening thoughts of the ordeal, nightmares, sleep problems, feelings of detachment or numbness, and a loss of interest in things you used to enjoy. You may become irritable or even aggressive.
Information taken from the Partnership for Workplace Mental Health, Anxiety Brochure. Click here to download the brochure. We would be happy to send your office fifty brochures, free of charge. Please contact us (Link to Contact Us.doc) for more information.