What exactly does it imply when someone claims to "have" anxiety? Anxiety may have many different meanings, but in most cases, it significantly impacts the quality of life, ability to perform, and general contentment of those who "have" it.
No one is immune to the anxiety that stressful life events may bring on, but those who suffer from anxiety usually find ways to combat it. Even in seemingly low-stress settings, people with anxiety might still have anxious feelings; this is not to say that they never have happy days.
If your worry is interfering with your daily life to this degree, you could have an anxiety disorder. Although it is possible to get therapy from a counselor without ever receiving a diagnosis, a name may be useful for some individuals, and it is important to recognize that everyone struggles with anxiety regardless of diagnosis.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) states that GAD is defined by excessive and persistent concern about many things, including but not limited to finances, health, family, and jobs. Even when there is no reason to be worried, people with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) always think the worst will happen.
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A diagnosis requires the presence of three symptoms for a minimum of six months daily:
- Unease, agitation, or a tense state of mind
- Feeling tired easily
- Having trouble focusing or thoughts wander
- Irritability
- Tense muscles
- Disruption to sleep (difficulty falling or staying asleep, or restless, unsatisfying sleep)
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Social Anxiety Disorder
Anxieties about being poorly perceived or rejected in a social or performance setting characterize social anxiety disorder, as stated by the American Statistical Association of Anxiety Disorders (ADAA). This goes beyond just being timid. Those who suffer from an anxiety condition often avoid settings where they are expected to be sociable because they feel overwhelming worry and anguish when they are unable to do so.
In addition, those who suffer from social anxiety often encounter bodily manifestations while interacting with others, including:
- An elevated pulse rate
- Nausea
- Sweating
- Episodes of extreme anxiety
A diagnosis is only possible if the level of distress over social situations is so high that it significantly impacts the patient's day-to-day functioning, such as their ability to follow through with daily tasks, perform well at work, maintain friendships or romantic relationships, and feel overall happiness.
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Panic Disorder
Individuals who have panic disorder endure irrational, life-altering panic episodes. As a result of these episodes, people with panic disorder may worry excessively about things that may trigger another attack. Usually, panic episodes don't last more than 10 minutes before they start to fade.
The American Psychological Association defines a panic attack as characterized by the sudden onset of four or more of the following symptoms:
- Fast heart rate, palpitations, or a racing heart
- Sweating
- Unsteady or trembling
- Difficulty breathing or suffocation
- A sensation of suffocation
- Aches or pains in the chest
- Discomfort in the belly or nausea
If you have any of these symptoms, you may have:
- Feelings of coldness or warmth
- Feeling numb (numbness or tingling sensations)
- Depersonalization or derealization (unrealistic sensations) (being detached from oneself).
- Anxieties about "becoming wild" or losing control
- The dread of death
Specific Phobias
Aphthophobia, cynophobia, acrophobia, and ophidiophobia are such fears. Dread is a normal human emotion, but for those who have a particular phobia (such as the ones mentioned above), the fear may be crippling and prevent them from living their life to the fullest.
Those who suffer from certain phobias may stay away from anything that may trigger their fears, even when there's a good probability that there's no real risk.
"They feel unable to stop it," says ADAA, "and the anxiety may not make any sense." Knowing that they will eventually come face to face with their trigger is a major source of anxiety.
Animals, bugs, germs, heights, thunder, driving, public transit, flying, dentistry or medical treatments, and elevators are common phobias.
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Agoraphobia
Those who have agoraphobia, whether it's due to a generalized fear of public speaking or the fear of retaliation for a particular phobia or trigger, get so overwhelmed by the thought of experiencing an anxiety attack that they isolate themselves from the world.
They prefer to remain in familiar, comforting areas, like their homes, rather than go out into public spaces, such as shopping centers, subways, or arenas, where they may feel helpless.
As a result of their fear of leaving their safe space, persons who have agoraphobia may become quite disciplined in their daily lives.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Sure, some people have compulsions like being tidy or washing their hands constantly, but that's not all. The correlation between obsessions and compulsions is the defining feature of OCD. An obsession is defined as "unwanted, intrusive thoughts, pictures, or desires that generate profoundly uncomfortable sensations" by the International Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders Foundation (IOCDF). To alleviate their obsessions and/or the misery they cause, some people engage in actions known as compulsions.
People who suffer from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder often find that their obsessions, which may lead to severe distress, can be alleviated by engaging in compulsions. Even if their anxiety levels momentarily decrease, they will still have to perform the compulsion the next time it strikes. According to the International Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Foundation (IOCDF), individuals who suffer from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) have a very intrusive cycle of obsessions and compulsions that significantly impact their quality of life.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Although PTSD is more often associated with other anxiety illnesses, it is really legally categorized as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Anxiety, terror, and panic attacks may resurface at any time, even years after the initial trauma has passed, a condition known as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The American Symptomatic Association (ADAA) states that a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is acceptable when symptoms persist for a minimum of one month after the traumatic incident.
Three distinct categories of symptoms define the disorder:
Being re-introduced to the traumatic experience via disturbing, intrusive memories, flashbacks, or nightmares. Feeling emotionally distant and avoiding situations, people, and things that bring up memories of the trauma. Symptoms of elevated arousal include restlessness, inability to focus, irritability, and difficulties sleeping.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder symptoms may affect anybody. Sexual assault, surviving a vehicle accident, and witnessing violent acts are among the stressful experiences that may lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
