Anxiety

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD):

GAD manifests as persistent, excessive worry about various aspects of life, disrupting both physical and mental well-being. This chronic concern triggers profound anxiety and physical symptoms like stomach discomfort, muscle tension, fatigue, and heart palpitations. Individuals with GAD struggle to control their worrying, often envisioning worst-case scenarios. Sleep disturbances are common due to the heightened physical sensations induced by worry. Engaging in new experiences, such as travel or social activities, becomes challenging due to an inability to tolerate uncertainty and a perceived lack of control over situations.

Social Anxiety (or Social Phobia):

Social phobia involves an overwhelming fear of negative judgment from others, leading individuals to avoid social interactions despite a desire for connection. Many report experiencing this fear since childhood, often recalling feelings of shyness and reticence. Physical symptoms like upset stomach, trembling, and blushing exacerbate anxiety in social settings, making tasks like initiating conversations, speaking in groups, or making eye contact difficult. In severe cases, social anxiety can lead to isolation and depression, with some individuals overcompensating socially to gain approval but deriving little enjoyment from interactions.

Panic Attacks and Panic Disorder with Agoraphobia:

While panic attacks are common across anxiety disorders, panic disorder involves a persistent fear of experiencing attacks in situations where escape or assistance is limited. Panic attacks are characterized by intense physiological sensations peaking within minutes, often accompanied by fears of losing control or catastrophic outcomes. Avoidance behaviors, known as agoraphobia, may develop to evade situations that could trigger panic attacks, such as crowded spaces or certain activities.

Health Anxiety:

Health anxiety is marked by an excessive fear of illness or death, leading individuals to engage in compulsive health-related behaviors or avoid medical information altogether. Despite efforts to seek reassurance, relief is rarely found. Those with health anxiety feel particularly vulnerable to disease and are intolerant of uncertainty regarding their health.

Specific Fears/Phobias:

Specific phobias entail irrational and persistent fears of specific objects or situations, causing significant distress or impairment in daily life. These fears range from animals and natural environments to medical procedures and social situations. Virtual reality therapy offers a promising avenue for overcoming these phobias.

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD):

PTSD arises following exposure to a traumatic event, characterized by symptoms like re-experiencing the trauma, hyperarousal, and avoidance behaviors. Symptoms persist for more than a month, significantly impacting daily functioning. Children and teenagers may exhibit different symptoms compared to adults, including disruptive behaviors or physical complaints like headaches.

Separation Anxiety Disorder:

Separation anxiety involves a fear of being away from loved ones or home, often manifesting in children, teens, and adults. Anxiety peaks during nighttime or extended separations, leading to oppositional behaviors and reluctance to engage in social activities requiring temporary separation from caregivers.