Introduction to the Three Types of Anxiety - General Anxiety, Social Phobia and Panic Disorder

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In addition to identifying when a patient is suffering from anxiety, medical professionals can further categorize the condition into one of three basic types.  These groups include general anxiety, social phobia and panic disorder.

By having three categories or groups, medical professionals are better able to prescribe the correct treatments for their patients.  Many similar disorders are often included in one of these larger categories because they fit some but not all of the general guidelines of the group.

General Anxiety

General anxiety, also known as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), is the most common of all anxiety types and affects around 3.5% of the population.

People who suffer from generalized anxiety disorder experience more distress than the anxiety most of us feel from time to time in our lives.  The person suffering will find they are worried most of the time, often over things that are unrealistic.  Although they may realize their fears are not realistic they cannot control their worries and typically become fixated on them.

In addition to difficulty controlling their feelings, people suffering with generalized anxiety disorder may have trouble concentrating and sleeping and often can be tense and irritable.  Sufferers cannot always identify the reason for their anxiety although most cases revolve around work, financial or relationship issues.

Social Phobia

Social phobia, also referred to as phobia disorder or social anxiety disorder, relates to the anxiety sufferers experience in social situations.

Social anxiety disorder is characterized by a person being over conscious of others scrutinizing them in the daily tasks they carry out. The sufferer becomes fearful of being watched and has feelings of embarrassment over simple actions because they feel as if they are always being judged by others.

The condition becomes chronic if untreated and can result in the sufferer leading a reclusive lifestyle by avoiding social settings.  Although the sufferer usually realizes they have a problem, they find it difficult to seek help due to embarrassment or the fear of being judged.

The symptoms for this disorder can vary from person to person but always involves an absence of relaxation and enjoyment when in certain public settings.

Panic Disorder

Panic disorder, commonly known as a panic attack is not a prolonged feeling of anxiety like generalized panic disorder or social phobia disorder.

Panic disorder comes in the form of an intense period of anxiety that is normally unexpected and can cause feelings of breathlessness, trembling, heart palpitations, excessive sweating and in some cases a feeling of sickness.

The panic attack will result in the sufferer feeling the same sensation experienced by someone under extreme stress.  During an episode of intense stress, large amounts of adrenaline are pumped throughout the body in preparation for a fight or flight reaction.

When experiencing a panic attack for the first time, the sufferer may feel like they are having a heart attack or another type of dangerous medical condition.  Immediate medical attention should be given to determine the cause of these symptoms.

Although the length of time a person suffers a panic attack can vary greatly, the majority of these attacks have a rather short duration.