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Do you worry in excess? We all worry at some time or another, but if you find yourself worrying more than usual, you may be experiencing an anxiety disorder. Anxiety can make it difficult to function. You may have restlessness, trouble sleeping, headaches, etc. Please read below and see if you have any of these symptoms. According to the DSM-TR-IV, there are different kinds of anxiety disorders.

One of the most common is generalized anxiety disorder or (GAD). People GAD have a feeling of anxiety most of their day every day. This includes worry about things that may or may not be occurring in your life. Usually this kind of extreme worry lasts for a minimum of six months. Most of the time a psychiatrist can prescribe medication. You may also want to seek out a therapist that specializes in cognitive-behavioral therapy.

Panic disorder is another type of anxiety. This is when a person will have a sudden onset of extreme episodes of anxiety, which will usually occur at the same time as a physical symptom. One hallmark of panic attacks is that people feel like they are going to die or have another serious medical problem. Some common physical symptoms can consist of chest pain, and because of this people can sometimes believe they are having a heart attack. Other symptoms can include palpitations, dizziness, profuse sweating, etc. Most of the time panic attacks are sudden and unexpected. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms it is best to contact a psychiatrist to possibly take medication for relief.

Another anxiety disorder is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder or (OCD). People with OCD usually have obsessive thoughts. An example of this may be “If I drive to the store, I will get in an accident”. Another part of OCD is any repetitive behavior like checking the oven to see if you left it on, even though you have not. Sometimes people will check the locks on the door many times before going to sleep at night even though they know they locked them earlier. Again, medications can be helpful and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can be used to help alleviate some of the symptoms.

Lastly, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or (PTSD) is another type of anxiety disorder. Originally PTSD was used to diagnose soldiers returning from war, however in the past decade, this diagnosis has been used to describe people who have experienced a traumatic event. This can also occur in people who have witnessed a traumatic event as well. A diagnosis of PTSD is made after a careful evaluation by a psychiatrist or therapist to determine if the person has experienced flashbacks about the event which makes them feel as if they are re-experiencing the trauma. Another example of PTSD is jumping with a loud noise. This is referred to as hyper vigilance. PTSD can treated with therapy and medications.

Again, everybody worries sometimes, but if you have any of these symptoms consistently and for more than six months, please contact a mental health professional for an assessment.