You’ve tried all the self-help tips you can find, but can’t seem to shake the feelings of anxiety that keep showing up in your day-to-day life. Yet, there are so many types of anxiety that you’re not exactly sure what you’re experiencing.
Anxiety shows up in many forms, in people of all ages. Some people feel a constant sense of worry, while others have panic attacks or avoid certain situations altogether. Knowing what type of anxiety you’re facing can help you understand what you’re experiencing and find the right treatment.
In Kentucky, 37% of people report having 37% of people report having symptoms of anxiety or depression.
At Sun Behavioral Health in Kentucky, we understand anxiety comes in many forms. We offer no-cost care assessments that can help determine the type of anxiety you’re managing and recommend treatments to manage and relieve your symptoms.
Types of Anxiety: What Kind Are You Experiencing?
Successfully managing anxiety relies on understanding what kind you have. Each has its own set of symptoms and a different path to relief. Most anxiety falls into one of the following categories:
- Generalized anxiety
- Social anxiety
- Health anxiety
- Panic attacks
- Separation anxiety
- Agoraphobia
- Phobias
- Selective mutism
The most common types of anxiety are generalized anxiety, social anxiety, health anxiety, and panic disorder.
| Type of Anxiety | Description |
|---|---|
| Generalized Anxiety | Ongoing worry about everyday things, even when there’s no clear reason, often resulting in anxiety attacks |
| Social Anxiety | Fear of being judged, embarrassed, or rejected in social settings |
| Health Anxiety | Persistent worry about developing a serious illness |
| Panic Disorder | Panic attacks (and fear of panic attacks) that include sudden, intense fear accompanied by physical symptoms, and avoidance of places or activities once enjoyed |
When Does Anxiety Become a Disorder?
Anxiety becomes a disorder when it interferes with daily life or compromises your quality of life over an extended period of time.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): When Worry Doesn’t Switch Off
Generalized Anxiety Disorder, or GAD, is one of the most common forms of anxiety. It involves persistent worry about everyday responsibilities like work, school, health, or finances. Sometimes, there may be no clear reason to feel anxious.
People with GAD often feel a sense of unease that’s hard to shake. You may have a persistent fear that something bad will happen, or feel overwhelmed by things most people handle easily. GAD is more than occasional nervousness. It’s a mental health condition that can make it hard for you to function at home, at work, or in social settings.
If you’re managing a generalized anxiety disorder, you may still get through the day, but feel exhausted by the effort it takes. If worry is starting to feel unmanageable, you don’t have to go it alone. Treatment can help you regain a sense of calm and confidence.
Social Anxiety Disorder: When Everyday Interactions Feel Overwhelming
Social Anxiety Disorder, once known as social phobia, is more than just nervousness around other people. It’s a mental health condition marked by intense fear of being judged, embarrassed, or rejected by others.
If you manage a social anxiety disorder, even routine interactions can feel overwhelming or unsafe.
Unlike shyness, which may cause mild discomfort in social settings, social anxiety interferes with your ability to function. The fear doesn’t fade once the situation begins. Instead, it may intensify or lead to avoiding social interactions.
If you have social anxiety, you may experience:
- Fear of speaking up in meetings, classrooms, or group settings
- Frequent fear that others are watching or criticizing you
- Avoidance of eye contact or conversation
- Racing thoughts or physical symptoms like a pounding heart, sweating, or nausea before social events
- Fear of saying the wrong thing or being misunderstood
- Avoiding social activities like parties, work events, or even small gatherings
If you or your loved one has a social anxiety disorder, you are not alone. It’s a treatable mental health condition, and many people see improvement with therapy and support.
Health Anxiety Disorder: When Every Symptom Feels Serious
Health Anxiety Disorder, sometimes referred to as illness anxiety disorder or hypochondria, is a mental health condition marked by an ongoing fear of having a serious illness when there’s no medical evidence of one.
If you live with health anxiety, everyday sensations can feel alarming. A headache might seem like a sign of a tumor, or a mild cough could trigger fears of something much worse. You might find yourself checking your body for symptoms, seeking constant reassurance, or making frequent doctor visits. After a doctor reassures you that nothing is wrong, you often walk away feeling just as worried.
This fear isn’t dramatic or imagined. It’s real, and it can be exhausting. Over time, it can interfere with your peace of mind, your relationships, and how safe you feel in your own body. Therapy can help you work through the fear and feel more confident handling the uncertainty.
Panic Disorder: Understanding Sudden Waves of Fear
Panic Disorder involves sudden, intense episodes of overwhelming fear that seem to come out of nowhere. These episodes, called panic attacks, can cause physical symptoms that make it difficult to function in the moment.
Signs of a panic attack may include:
- Rapid breathing: Feeling short of breath or unable to catch your breath
- Tingling: Often in the fingers, lips, or face
- Nausea: Stomach discomfort or queasiness
- Dizziness: Feeling faint or lightheaded
- Shaking: Trembling hands or body
- Sweating: Sudden heat, clamminess, or cold sweats
- Overwhelmed feeling: A sense that you’re losing control or in danger
- Derealization/Depersonalization: Feeling separated from your body, like you’re witnessing events rather than living them
Most panic attacks are brief, often lasting just 5 to 30 minutes. If you experience panic attacks, it’s important to keep in mind that they are not usually dangerous. With the help of a therapist, you can learn to recognize the symptoms and remind yourself that your body is reacting to fear, not danger.
Anxiety vs. Anxiety Disorder: What’s the Difference?
Everyone experiences anxiety from time to time. But when it lasts for six months or longer and affects your quality of life, it may be more than an everyday worry.
Here are some signs that you may have an anxiety disorder:
| Signs of Anxiety Disorder | What It Might Look Like |
|---|---|
| Difficulty concentrating | Tasks feel harder to complete or stay focused on |
| Avoidance | You skip events or responsibilities you’d normally enjoy |
| Sleep problems | Trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or having frequent nightmares |
| Physical tension | Headaches, stomach aches, nausea, or muscle tightness |
| Feeling out of control | Thoughts or emotions feel overwhelming or hard to manage |
| Overthinking | Simple decisions feel stressful or take too long |
| Persistent distress | Coping strategies don’t work, and symptoms continue over time |
When anxiety becomes a barrier to living your life, it’s time to seek support. Treatment can help you find relief and regain your confidence.
How Anxiety Is Diagnosed
Anxiety is diagnosed by evaluating a pattern of symptoms that interfere with daily life. Doctors look for both physical signs and emotional patterns that have persisted over time, not just occasional worry or nervousness.
Although everyone’s experience is different, there are common signs doctors look for when diagnosing anxiety. These include both physical symptoms and emotional patterns that persist over time.
Physical symptoms of anxiety may include:
- Fast or irregular heartbeat
- Lightheadedness or dizziness
- Chest pain or pressure
- Sweating or feeling overheated
- Difficulty catching your breath
- Shakiness
- Muscle tension or difficulty relaxing
Emotional and behavioral symptoms may include:
- Chronic worry or racing thoughts
- Intrusive or obsessive thoughts
- Constantly expecting the worst
- Avoiding mirrors or being uncomfortable with your appearance
- Fear of trying new things
- Difficulty maintaining personal care or daily routines
If you notice some of these symptoms in your own life, consider scheduling an assessment with a specialist. Anxiety disorder treatment may be able to help you manage symptoms and live your life more fully.