Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health conditions, affecting millions of people worldwide. While anxiety is a natural response to stress, anxiety disorders involve excessive, persistent worry and fear that interfere with daily life. Below is an overview of the major types of anxiety disorders and their symptoms based on the DSM-5 criteria.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a chronic mental health condition characterized by excessive, persistent, and uncontrollable worry about various aspects of life, such as health, work, social interactions, or everyday situations. Unlike typical anxiety, which is a normal response to stress, GAD involves ongoing and disproportionate worry that occurs more days than not for at least six months and significantly interferes with daily functioning. Symptoms include:

• Persistent and excessive anxiety or worry occurring more days than not for at least six months

• Difficulty controlling worry

• At least three of the following symptoms:

  • Restlessness or feeling on edge

  • Being easily fatigued

  • Difficulty concentrating or mind going blank

  • Irritability

  • Muscle tension

  • Sleep disturbances (difficulty falling or staying asleep, or restless, unsatisfying sleep)

Panic Disorder

Panic Disorder is a mental health condition characterized by recurrent, unexpected panic attacks—sudden episodes of intense fear or discomfort that peak within minutes. These attacks are often accompanied by physical symptoms (such as rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, dizziness) and psychological distress (such as fear of losing control, going crazy, or dying). The key feature of Panic Disorder is a persistent fear of having future attacks, leading to behavioral changes to avoid potential triggers.

Unlike situational anxiety, panic attacks in Panic Disorder can occur spontaneously, without an obvious trigger. If left untreated, this condition can lead to avoidance behaviors, social withdrawal, and agoraphobia (fear of situations where escape might be difficult). Symptoms include:

• Recurrent and unexpected panic attacks, including at least four of the following:

  • Palpitations, pounding heart, or accelerated heart rate

  • Sweating

  • Trembling or shaking

  • Sensations of shortness of breath or smothering

  • Feelings of choking

  • Chest pain or discomfort

  • Nausea or abdominal distress

  • Dizziness, lightheadedness, or feeling faint

  • Chills or heat sensations

  • Numbness or tingling sensations

  • Feelings of unreality (derealization) or being detached from oneself (depersonalization)

  • Fear of losing control or "going crazy"

  • Fear of dying

• Persistent worry about additional panic attacks or their consequences

• Maladaptive behavior changes to avoid attacks

Social Anxiety Disorder (Social Phobia)

Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD), also known as Social Phobia, is a persistent and excessive fear of social or performance situations where an individual feels scrutinized, judged, or embarrassed. This fear is disproportionate to the actual threat posed by the situation and often leads to avoidance behaviors that interfere with daily life, work, school, and relationships.

Unlike general shyness, Social Anxiety Disorder is intense, persistent, and debilitating—often causing significant emotional distress and physical symptoms when faced with social situations. Symptoms include:

• Marked fear or anxiety about one or more social situations where scrutiny is possible

• Fear of acting in a way that will be negatively evaluated

• Social situations almost always provoke anxiety

• Avoidance of social situations or enduring them with intense fear

• Fear or anxiety is disproportionate to the actual threat

• Symptoms persist for at least six months

Specific Phobias

Specific phobias involve an intense, irrational fear of particular objects or situations, leading to avoidance behavior. Symptoms include:

• Marked fear or anxiety about a specific object or situation

• Immediate fear response upon exposure

• Active avoidance or enduring the object/situation with extreme distress

• Fear or anxiety is out of proportion to the actual danger

• Symptoms last at least six months

• Significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning