Anxiety disorders are a group of common mental health conditions characterised by excessive fear or worry. Here are some common types:
Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Persistent and excessive worry about various aspects of life (e.g., health, work, social interactions).
Symptoms: Restlessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, sleep disturbances.
Panic Disorder: Recurrent, unexpected panic attacks—sudden periods of intense fear.
Symptoms: Heart palpitations, sweating, trembling, shortness of breath, feelings of impending doom, dizziness.
Social Anxiety Disorder (Social Phobia): Intense fear of social situations where one may be scrutinised or judged by others.
Symptoms: Avoidance of social interactions, fear of embarrassment, physical symptoms like blushing or trembling.
Specific Phobias: Intense, irrational fear of specific objects or situations (e.g., heights, animals, flying).
Symptoms: Immediate anxiety response upon exposure, avoidance behavior, recognising the fear as excessive.
Agoraphobia: Fear of situations where escape might be difficult or help unavailable if a panic attack occurs.
Symptoms: Avoiding places like open spaces, public transport, or crowded areas, feeling trapped or helpless.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Although classified separately, it involves anxiety-driven repetitive behaviors (compulsions) and intrusive thoughts (obsessions).
Symptoms: Compulsive rituals (e.g., hand washing), obsessive thoughts (e.g., fear of contamination).
Health Anxiety: Also known as illness anxiety disorder or hypochondriasis, is characterised by excessive worry about having or developing a serious illness, despite little or no medical evidence to support the concern.
Symptoms: Persistent worry about health and fear of illness, Frequent checking of the body for signs of illness, Difficulty being reassured by medical professionals even after negative test results, Obsessive thoughts about potential illnesses, Preoccupation with health-related information, Excessive health-related behaviours, such as repeated doctor visits, medical tests, or seeking reassurance from others, Avoidance of certain situations.