Do you have mild to moderate anxiety? If you have mild to moderate anxiety, click here to learn more general strategies for managing your anxiety at home.
Do you have a diagnosed (or suspected) anxiety disorder? Below is a list of six anxiety disorders and subtypes. Click on the links for a more detailed description, (including a video and stories), as well as self-help strategies that are specific to that disorder.
Six Anxiety Disorders
Phobias are characterized by persistent, excessive and unreasonable fears of an object or situation, which significantly interferes with life and is beyond voluntary control. Some common phobias include fear of spiders, rodents, snakes, flying, heights, injections, and situations where escape is difficult.
These individuals have an intense fear of social and/or performance situations, and excessive concern about social embarrassment or humiliation. They may avoid social activities like going to parties, performing or speaking in front of others, dating, and may have difficulty obtaining employment.
Individuals with this disorder worry excessively and uncontrollably about daily life events. These worries include potential negative events in the future, minor matters, a loved one becoming ill or dying, work issues, and world events, such as natural disasters.
This is characterized by unexpected and repeated panic attacks, followed by at least one month of worry about having additional attacks and/or fear of something bad happening as a result of the panic attack, such as going crazy, losing control, or dying.
Individuals with this disorder have obsessions, or unwanted ugly thoughts that make them anxious, and/or they engage in compulsions (repetitive behaviors or mental acts) in an attempt to reduce a feeling of anxiety. Some compulsions may include repeated hand-washing, checking, tapping, or mental routines (such as counting backwards from 100). An example of an intrusive thought is "I might get sick and die from touching a bathroom door".
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
This is an anxiety disorder that can develop after being directly involved, witnessing, or hearing about a frightening traumatic event. Symptoms include upsetting vivid memories, nightmares, flashbacks of the event, and avoidance of reminders.
