Common Anxiety Symptoms - How Do I Know if I Have an Anxiety Disorder?

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It can be difficult for some people to tell the difference between the everyday anxiety that can affect everyone from time to time and a clinically defined anxiety disorder.  Of course, the only way to be diagnosed with anxiety disorder is if a doctor evaluates you and makes the official distinction.  But you could still be suffering from the symptoms of an anxiety disorder which can be a dangerous condition if left untreated.

Although a disorder is not the same thing as a disease that can be contracted, it is still quite dangerous.  An anxiety disorder places a great amount of stress on a person because the characteristic worries compound on each other until only intense negative thoughts survive in the mind.  Because stress is a known precursor to numerous physical ailments and conditions, anxiety disorder can lead to physical sickness in addition to the obvious psychological implications.

But how do you know if you suffer beyond the usual worries of the day?  Anxiety always hurts and results in a sickly, uncomfortable feeling.  But an anxiety disorder is a serious condition marked by extreme and often chronic anxiety.  It has a much more drastic effect than everyday stress to the point of affecting thoughts, moods and external behavior.  This type of repetitive anxiety grows progressively worse as time goes on if it is not properly treated. 

There are a few major categories of anxiety and several sub-groups within these broad categories.  General anxiety disorder is characterized by constant and exaggerated worry about many different situations although these worries are generally unfounded.  Some suffer from panic disorder where they experience short but intense panic attacks.  There is also obsessive compulsive disorder which sees individuals suffer from unwanted recurring thoughts which in turn cause excessive repetitive behavior.

Post traumatic stress disorder is an emotionally debilitating episode that is the direct result of a traumatic incident.  Frightening memories of the incident recur in a person's mind and often renders them helpless or extremely anxious.  Social anxiety disorder involves a fear of being watched and judged by others and is usually related to low self-esteem.  In addition, many different phobias exist in which a person fears a specific object or situation.  Separation anxiety disorder is yet another form of anxiety where there is an irrational fear of being left by a parent or primary caregiver. 

One indication of having a major personality disorder is if you feel yourself getting progressively worse.  It is important to seek help immediately because the disorder can continue until normal daily functions are nearly impossible.  If you are suffering from constant and possibly irrational anxiety, a doctor can help you determine if you have a disorder.  Most likely your medical professional will do a physical exam in addition to psychological test. 

The most important result is not the actual determination of what your specific problem is called but rather that the steps are taken to improve your well-being.  Many different treatment options are available depending on each individual situation.  Take care to put yourself first and find the best solution for you.