Anxiety Disorder Symptom

Most people can say that they are familiar with anxiety in their lives. It is a companion that knocks on your door now and then when a situation comes up and even sometimes unexpectedly. But how much anxiety is too much? And what is an anxiety disorder symptom? A good indicator, is to see if you:

  • Continually stress about things that most people don’t.
  • Feel anxious most of the time
  • Do suffer from panic attacks.
  • Spend a great deal of time worrying about an oncoming panic attack.

If this is the case, then you do have too much anxiety in your life. If you suffer anxiety in levels that are excessive then the mental health professionals will classify it as a disorder. By excessive I mean that this anxiety doesn’t match the actual threat that is present, it also prevents you from enjoying your life, and your occupational and social environments. The symptoms will also need to be present from weeks to months.Anxiety disorder symptoms can differ depending on what anxiety disorder you have. A current recognised list is below with the general symptoms:

  • General Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
    • Excessive worrying that can result in insomnia
    • Feeling edgy and tense.
    • Not being able to relax.
    • Often jumpy and irritable.

  • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
    • Reoccurring thoughts and fears that needs to be followed through with some type of action to reduce the risk of a harmful possibility that may happen.
    • Fear that something terrible is going to occur.
    • Constant unreasonable doubt.

  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
    • Severe shock and distress after a traumatic event that does not gradually settle over a few months.
    • Sleep disturbances that are likely to be accompanied with recurring nightmares.
    • Often jumpy and irritable.
    • Sensitive to experiences and situations that reminds them of the traumatic event.
    • Vivid flashbacks that can occur without any warning.
    • Intense terror and anxiety as if the traumatic experience was occurring again.

  • Panic Disorder
    • Reoccurring panic attacks and fear of future panic attacks.
    • Accelerated heart rate.
    • Trembling or shaking.
    • Shortness of breath.
    • Choking.
    • Feeling dizzy.
    • Fear of dying or loss of control.
    • Chills or hot flushes.

  • Agoraphobia
    • Fear of having a panic attack in a situation where it would be difficult to escape or get help.
    • Avoiding situations that would trigger this fear.

  • Social Anxiety Disorder (Social Phobia)
    • Fear of being in social situations.
    • Fear of being embarrassed.
    • Fear of looking foolish or inept.
    • Fear that others will think less of them.
    • Fear of their voice shaking.
    • Blushing.
    • Sweating.
    • Shaking and trembling.

Though this must seem like a lot of anxiety disorders out there, there are treatments and help for every single one of them. It is important to first diagnose which disorder you have by consulting a doctor, as treatments can vary depending on the disorder and the severity of it.