Different Types of Anxiety Disorders

A little anxiety is normal, especially before or after a stressful situation. On a larger scale, plenty of people are feeling anxious over current events. But it’s important to recognize when your nerves are getting to you and when to seek help from a professional.

If you suspect that you might be suffering from an anxiety disorder, getting a diagnosis and treatment can provide some much-needed relief.

As a board-certified psychiatrist, Dr. Ifeanyi Olele of Genesis Psychiatric Solutions identifies and treats a broad range of anxiety disorders, helping patients find peace.

Understanding anxiety

An anxiety disorder doesn’t just make you nervous when you’re about to go on stage or take a test. It’s a pervasive and persistent feeling of unease, anxiety, and even panic. Anxiety becomes a disorder when it begins to affect your day-to-day life, making it difficult to feel comfortable in everyday situations.

There is no baseline experience of anxiety. No two people are anxious about the same things, act the same way, or have the same coping methods.

This is why diagnosis is a necessary step. Once you and Dr. Olele know what kind of anxiety disorder you’re experiencing, you can begin moving forward and finding ways to treat it.

Types of anxiety disorders

Anxiety disorders aren’t categorized based on symptoms as much as they’re defined by their cause. Here are a few examples:

Generalized anxiety disorder

Generalized anxiety disorder is just that, a generalized anxiety about anything and everything, ranging from catastrophic disaster to routine tasks.

Agoraphobia

This is the fear of going outside, experiencing new things, or feeling helpless or embarrassed in an unfamiliar place.

Social anxiety disorder

Social anxiety disorder causes anxiety about socializing or being in public, leading you to feel judged or ridiculed.

Separation anxiety

This type of anxiety is common in children, teenagers, and adults who feel attached to or reliant on their loved one(s).

Panic disorder

Panic disorder causes you to feel more than anxious. It can result in full-blown attacks that might be mistaken for medical emergencies.

Specific phobias

Specific phobias vary from person to person, but the feelings of anxiety and panic associated with them are often the same.

There are many different types of specific disorders and phobias, and sometimes anxiety falls outside of these tidy categories. But many symptoms often overlap, including:

Feeling nervous, restless, or uneasy
Trouble concentrating on anything besides your anxiety
Increased heart rate
Sweating
Fatigue and weakness
Breathing rapidly (hyperventilation)
Shaking or trembling
Fidgeting
Stomachaches and gastrointestinal problems
Feeling of impending doom

If you think you might be suffering from an anxiety disorder, don’t be afraid to reach out for help. Dr. Olele can help you sort through your feelings, recognize your symptoms, and find a treatment that works for you — whether that includes therapy, medication, or new coping strategies.

To schedule a consultation, call the location closest to you or request an appointment online. We have offices in Fairfax and Alexandria, Virginia, and Washington, DC.