Anxiety disorder is a term used to describe all disorder or conditions that are based on pathological fear and anxiety. Below are the 5 major types of anxiety disorders.

{Generalized Anxiety Disorder}

Generalized anxiety disorder is a disorder that is characterized exaggerated and often irrational anxiety, tension and worry about a situation or an object. Usually, even when there is very little or no reason at all to worry, people with GAD still worry. They constantly anticipate disaster and worst-cases scenarios all the time; they even worry about worrying itself. In quite a high percentage of people suffering from GAD, even the thought of getting through the day is enough to consume them with worry and anxiety.

{Panic Disorder}

Panic disorder is a form of anxiety disorder that is characterized by sudden attacks of intense terror, fear and apprehension that is often accompanied by physical symptoms like pounding hear, dizziness, weakness, sweatiness, shaking, confusion, faintness, nausea and difficulty breathing.

Panic attacks last anywhere from a few minutes to several hours, often peaking at least 10 minutes after the first symptoms occurred. It can occur at any time, even during [while the person is sleeping sleep]. The causes of each episode is not exactly know although most common causes are identified as exercising or any strenuous physical activity, stress, and intense fear.

{Phobias or Phobic Disorders}

The single largest category of anxiety disorders is that of phobias, which is defined as fear or anxiety that is triggered by specific situation or stimulus. People with phobia most frequently experience or anticipate intense levels of fear and anxiety as they encounter the object or situation they most fear, which can be anything from a location, a small animal, or a bodily fluid. When talking about anxiety disorders, the most common phobias are social anxiety disorder or social phobia and agoraphobia.

{Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder}

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, better known as OCD, is the anxiety disorder that is characterized by unwanted and recurrent thoughts with repetitive behaviors. These persistent and upsetting thoughts or obsessions are controlled using rituals or compulsions. Although people with OCD initially feel lower levels of anxiety by doing repetitive behaviors, they actually end up being controlled by their compulsions. Still, repetitive behaviors such as counting, cleaning, hand washing, and checking are often performed by a person with OCD in hopes to relieve the obsessions. Relief from anxiety is not surprisingly temporary.

{Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder}

PTSD or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder results from being exposed to a great deal of terror or pain. Traumatic events that may cause PTSD to develop could be anything from natural disasters to military combats to accidents.

People with PTSD have persistent and recurrent frightening memories and thoughts of their ordeal, often forcing them to feel emotionally numb to people they were once close to. Left untreated, this condition could cause them frightening experiences for a long time.

If you suspect that some of the symptoms of any of any anxiety disorder could be happening to you, it is best that you seek medical help soon.