Although it’s normal for people to experience anxiety from time to time, it only becomes a disorder when it interferes with one’s lifestyle. It is estimated that between 18% and 28% of the American population deals with anxiety. There are several types of anxiety disorders that are listed below. For information about the Student Counseling Service, call 515-294-5056.

Panic Attack Disorder (PAD)

The panic attack disorder is when a person experiences an intense episode of fear and terror that comes out of nowhere. When suffering a panic attack, a person may experience sweating, chest pain, shortness of breath, shaking and irregular heartbeats similar to a heart attack. The panic attack can last anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours. People who tend to get panic attacks often live in constant fear of the next attack.

Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)

Also known as a social phobia, a person with social anxiety may experience a constant, overwhelming worry that involves everyday social situations such as being judged by strangers, a fear of embarrassment, or a fear of rejection. People with social anxiety tend to have self-esteem issues and struggle to make and retain friends.

Phobias

Phobias are intense fears of specific objects or situations. While it is normal to have fears, these intense fears interferes with people’s normal lives. The most common phobias include a fear of heights, a fear of flying, a fear of small spaces, and a fear of snakes.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

One of the most wide spread types of anxiety is generalized anxiety disorder, in which symptoms persists for more than 6 months. These symptoms include restlessness, fatigue, twitchiness, sweating, headaches, diarrhea, sleeping problems and blankness of mind amongst others. The disorder tends to co-exist with other mental conditions such as depression and ADHD. There is no known cause of GAD, although it is suggested that genetics play a huge role.