Anxiety Disorders: An Overview of the 5 Major Types

"You're giving me anxiety" has become a common phrase in our daily conversations, and for good reason—anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the United States. They affect 40 million American adults, or about 18.1% of the population. At Next Step Psychiatry in Lilburn, Georgia, we specialize in diagnosing and treating all types of anxiety disorders, helping patients throughout Gwinnett County find relief and reclaim their lives.

While feeling anxious occasionally is a normal part of life, anxiety disorders involve more than temporary worry or fear. They're persistent mental health conditions that can significantly interfere with daily activities, relationships, work performance, and overall quality of life. The good news? Anxiety disorders are highly treatable with proper professional care.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the five major types of anxiety disorders, their symptoms, causes, and treatment options available at Next Step Psychiatry.

1. Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Generalized Anxiety Disorder is characterized by chronic, excessive worry and tension that persists even when there's little or nothing to provoke it. This disorder affects approximately 6.8 million adults in the United States, or 3.1% of the population. Women are twice as likely as men to experience GAD, and it frequently co-occurs with major depression.

Symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder

To be diagnosed with GAD, a person must find it difficult to control worry on more days than not for at least six months. Common symptoms include:

• Persistent feelings of nervousness, irritability, or being on edge
• Sense of impending danger, panic, or doom
• Increased heart rate or heart palpitations
• Rapid breathing (hyperventilation), sweating, and trembling
• Feeling weak, tired, or easily fatigued
• Difficulty concentrating or mind going blank
• Trouble sleeping or staying asleep
• Gastrointestinal problems such as nausea, diarrhea, or IBS
• Muscle tension or muscle aches
• Restlessness or feeling keyed up

What Causes GAD?

The exact cause of Generalized Anxiety Disorder remains unknown, though research indicates that biological factors, life experiences, and family background all play significant roles. Genetic predisposition, brain chemistry imbalances, and environmental stressors can all contribute to the development of GAD.

Treatment for Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Although only about 43% of individuals with GAD currently receive treatment, the condition is highly responsive to various treatment approaches:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps identify and change negative thought patterns that fuel anxiety
• Medication: SSRIs, SNRIs, and other anti-anxiety medications can effectively reduce symptoms
• Lifestyle modifications: Regular exercise, stress management techniques, and proper sleep hygiene
• Mindfulness and relaxation techniques: Meditation, deep breathing, and progressive muscle relaxation

2. Panic Disorder

Panic Disorder is diagnosed in individuals who experience spontaneous, recurring panic attacks and live with persistent fear of having another attack. Approximately 2.7% of Americans experience this disorder, with women being more commonly affected than men.

Understanding Panic Attacks

Panic attacks are sudden episodes of intense fear that trigger severe physical reactions even when there's no real danger or apparent cause. They can be terrifying and may lead people to avoid situations or places where attacks have previously occurred, significantly interfering with daily life.

Symptoms of Panic Attacks

Panic attacks typically include several of the following symptoms:

• Palpitations, pounding heart, or accelerated heart rate
• Sweating or chills
• Trembling or shaking
• Sensations of shortness of breath or smothering
• Feelings of choking
• Chest pain or discomfort
• Nausea or abdominal distress
• Feeling dizzy, unsteady, light-headed, or faint
• Feelings of unreality (derealization) or being detached from oneself (depersonalization)
• Fear of losing control or "going crazy"
• Fear of dying
• Numbness or tingling sensations

Treatment for Panic Disorder

Panic disorders are highly responsive to treatment. At Next Step Psychiatry, we offer:

• Medication management: SSRIs and SNRIs are first-line treatments; benzodiazepines may be used short-term
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Particularly effective for panic disorder
• Panic-focused interventions: Teaching skills to manage attacks when they occur
• Exposure therapy: Gradual exposure to feared situations in a controlled, safe manner

3. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

People with OCD experience unwanted, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and feel compelled to perform certain behaviors (compulsions) to ease the distress caused by these thoughts. While not as common as GAD or panic disorder, OCD affects 1 in 40 adults and 1 in 100 children in America.

Understanding Obsessions and Compulsions

Obsessions are unwanted, intrusive thoughts, images, or urges that cause significant anxiety or distress. Common obsessions include:

• Contamination fears (germs, dirt, illness)
• Fears of harm coming to oneself or others
• Intrusive sexual or violent thoughts
• Need for symmetry, order, or perfection
• Religious or moral concerns (scrupulosity)

Compulsions are repetitive behaviors or mental acts performed to reduce anxiety or prevent a feared outcome. These may include:

• Excessive hand washing or cleaning
• Ordering and arranging items in specific ways
• Repeatedly checking things (locks, appliances, etc.)
• Counting or repeating words silently
• Seeking reassurance repeatedly

Symptoms of OCD

OCD symptoms can vary widely but often include:

• Time-consuming rituals (taking up more than an hour daily)
• Difficulty making decisions
• Extreme distress when rituals are interrupted
• Unusual secretiveness about behaviors
• Interference with work, school, or relationships

Treatment for OCD

Effective OCD treatment typically combines:

• Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP): A specific type of CBT highly effective for OCD
• Medication: SSRIs are often prescribed at higher doses than for depression
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Helps patients accept intrusive thoughts without acting on compulsions

4. Social Anxiety Disorder

Social Anxiety Disorder involves intense anxiety or fear of being judged, negatively evaluated, or rejected in social situations. It affects 15 million Americans, or 6.8% of the population, with men and women equally affected. The average age of onset is during the teenage years.

More Than Just Shyness

While many people with social anxiety disorder are shy, it's important to understand that this condition goes far beyond typical shyness. Social anxiety disorder can be so severe that it prevents people from:

• Attending social gatherings
• Speaking up at work or school
• Eating or drinking in public
• Dating or forming relationships
• Making eye contact or initiating conversations

Symptoms of Social Anxiety Disorder

People with social anxiety disorder experience both psychological and physical symptoms:

• Intense fear of social situations where you might be judged
• Worrying for days or weeks before a social event
• Avoidance of social situations or enduring them with intense distress
• Rapid heart rate, blushing, or sweating in social situations
• Nausea or upset stomach
• Trembling or shaking voice
• Mind going blank or difficulty speaking
• Fear that others will notice your anxiety

Treatment for Social Anxiety Disorder

According to an ADAA survey, 36% of people with social anxiety disorder wait 10 or more years before seeking help—but treatment is highly effective:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Helps challenge negative thoughts about social situations
• Exposure therapy: Gradual exposure to feared social situations
• SSRIs and SNRIs: First-line medication treatments
• Beta-blockers: Can help with physical symptoms like rapid heartbeat
• Social skills training: Helps build confidence in social interactions

5. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

PTSD is an anxiety disorder that can develop after exposure to a terrifying event or situation where serious physical harm was threatened or occurred. While some individuals recover naturally from traumatic events, those with PTSD can suffer from symptoms for months or years afterward.

What Causes PTSD?

PTSD can result from various traumatic experiences, including:

• Military combat
• Physical or sexual assault
• Natural disasters
• Serious accidents (car crashes, etc.)
• Childhood abuse or neglect
• Witnessing violence or death
• Life-threatening medical events

Childhood sexual abuse is a particularly strong predictor of lifetime likelihood for developing PTSD.

Symptoms of PTSD

PTSD symptoms typically fall into four categories:

• Re-experiencing: Flashbacks, nightmares, intrusive memories
• Avoidance: Avoiding places, people, or activities that remind you of the trauma
• Negative changes in thinking and mood: Negative thoughts about yourself or the world, difficulty experiencing positive emotions
• Changes in arousal and reactivity: Being easily startled, hypervigilance, irritability, difficulty sleeping

Treatment for PTSD

Effective PTSD treatments include:

• Prolonged Exposure Therapy: Teaches you to gain control by gradually facing trauma-related memories and situations
• Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT): Helps you reframe negative thoughts about the trauma
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): Uses bilateral stimulation to help process traumatic memories
• Medication: SSRIs and SNRIs are FDA-approved for PTSD treatment

The Importance of Professional Diagnosis and Treatment

While this overview provides valuable information about anxiety disorders, only a qualified mental health professional can provide an accurate diagnosis. Many anxiety disorders share similar symptoms, and some people experience multiple anxiety disorders simultaneously. Additionally, anxiety disorders often co-occur with depression and other mental health conditions.

At Next Step Psychiatry in Lilburn, Georgia, our experienced psychiatric providers conduct thorough evaluations to:

• Accurately diagnose your specific condition(s)
• Rule out medical conditions that might mimic anxiety symptoms
• Identify any co-occurring mental health disorders
• Develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs
• Monitor your progress and adjust treatment as needed

Common Treatment Approaches for Anxiety Disorders

While each anxiety disorder has specific treatment considerations, several approaches are effective across multiple conditions:

Medications

• SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors): First-line treatment for most anxiety disorders
• SNRIs (Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors): Also highly effective for anxiety
• Benzodiazepines: Used short-term for acute anxiety relief
• Buspirone: Non-addictive anti-anxiety medication
• Beta-blockers: Help manage physical symptoms

Psychotherapy

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Gold standard for anxiety treatment
• Exposure Therapy: Particularly effective for phobias and PTSD
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Helps build psychological flexibility
• Mindfulness-Based Therapies: Reduce anxiety through present-moment awareness

Lifestyle Modifications

• Regular physical exercise
• Adequate sleep
• Stress management techniques
• Limiting caffeine and alcohol
• Healthy diet and nutrition

Why Choose Next Step Psychiatry for Anxiety Treatment?

At Next Step Psychiatry, we understand that anxiety disorders can be debilitating, but we also know they're highly treatable. Our comprehensive approach includes:

• Expert diagnosis: Thorough evaluations to identify your specific condition
• Personalized treatment plans: Tailored to your symptoms, lifestyle, and goals
• Evidence-based care: Using treatments proven effective through research
• Medication management: When appropriate, with careful monitoring
• Therapy coordination: Referrals to excellent therapists when needed
• Convenient location: Serving Lilburn, Gwinnett County, and surrounding areas

Take the First Step Toward Relief

Living with an anxiety disorder can feel overwhelming, but you don't have to face it alone. With proper diagnosis and treatment, the vast majority of people with anxiety disorders experience significant improvement in their symptoms and quality of life.

Whether you're experiencing generalized anxiety, panic attacks, social anxiety, OCD, or PTSD, the experienced team at Next Step Psychiatry is here to help. We provide compassionate, evidence-based care in a comfortable, welcoming environment right here in Lilburn, Georgia.

Disclaimer: This article is for educational and informational purposes only and should never be substituted for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you or someone you know may be in danger, call 911 or the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 right away.