The characteristic feature of anxiety disorder is excessive fear or worry.

Types of Anxiety Disorders

Panic Disorder

• Sudden onset of palpitations
• Sweating Trembling/Shaking
• Shortness of breath
• Nausea/ Abdominal Distress
• Chest Pain
• Choking sensations
• Dizziness
• Feelings of unreality
• Fear of dying
• Feelings of losing control
• Feelings of going mad.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

• Anxiety is generalized, persistent but not restricted to any particular environmental circumstances.
• Persistent nervousness
• Restlessness or feeling on the edge
• Trembling
• Muscular Tension
• Sweating
• Light Headedness
• Palpitations
• Dizziness

Agoraphobia

• Characterized by fear of open spaces, using public transportation, being in enclosed spaces, presence of crowds or being outside the home alone, and the difficulty of immediate easy escape to a safe place.
• Agoraphobic situations produce anxiety, are actively avoided and accompanied by intense fear and anxiety.

Social Phobias

• Characterized by fear of scrutiny by other people leading to avoidance of social situations.
• Examples: social interactions like having a conversation, meeting unfamiliar people, being observed/ eating, and performing in front of others. Social situations provoke fear/ anxiety. Blushing, hand tremors, and nausea are some of the common symptoms.

Specific Phobias

• Restricted to highly specific situations like closed space, urinating or defecating in public toilets, eating a certain food, dentistry, the sight of blood/injury, fear of exposure to specific diseases. The specific phobic situation always provokes immediate fear or anxiety. Fear causes significant impairment and distress.