Anxiety

There are five main types of anxiety disorders. These include: GAD (Generalized anxiety disorder), OCD (Obsessive-compulsive disorder), Panic Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Social Phobia (or Social Anxiety Disorder)

Types of Anxiety

GAD
(Generalized Anxiety Disorder)

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (or commonly known and referred to as GAD for short) may include feelings such as:

Continuous anxiety
Overly worrying
And feeling stressed

Individuals diagnosed with GAD may experience immense amounts of stress when in reality, the situation/reason may not actually be as serious as they think it is.

OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder)

Repetitive, unwanted thoughts or repetitive behaviors. These behaviors are like rituals to individuals with hopes to make negative thoughts go away. With this intention, this feeling of comfort does not last long, and if no action has been taken for an individual to release their anxiety, growth into further problems can be possible.

Panic Disorder

Individuals who are diagnosed with panic disorder may sometimes feel unexpected or reoccurring situations.

It can cause mental symptoms such as fears. Or physical symptoms can arise like chest pain, dizziness, and even shortness of breath in some cases.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can appear after experiencing a horrible/traumatic event, serious physical harm or threats. Almost everyone will experience a range of reactions after trauma, but most people recover from initial symptoms naturally. Those who continue to experience problems may be diagnosed with PTSD.

Examples include:

Violent adults
Accidents
Military experience

Social Phobia (or Social Anxiety Disorder)

Overwhelming anxiety and being self-consciousness in public situations.

There are many situations that social phobias occur, it can be fear of public speaking or presentations, talking (formal or informal) to others, or hanging out with others.

It can be serious enough that individuals have these symptoms whenever they are around people.

In social anxiety disorder, fear and anxiety lead to avoidance that can disrupt your life. Severe stress can affect your relationships, daily routines, work, school or other activities.

Signs of Anxiety

Making rules or special goals to be the best in everything. Individuals might feel anxious if the result does not come out right or feel judged by others

Anxiety can lead to self-criticism. Individuals mostly focus on things they are weak in or afraid of. This might continue and end up in a cycle with endless negative thoughts and emotions. It lowers the confidence, where thinking they'll never be good enough for anything

Situations such as going to a big party or having to do a presentation in class can cause self-consciousness. Individuals start to notice the way they behave and worries about it.

Feeling anxious, individuals who have a strong need to distract themselves by doing something else. Individuals could have nothing to do but still unable to take a break after or be at ease.

Overthinking situations and change up thoughts to making them seem worse compared to the reality. Individuals always find the negative side of everyday life and catastrophize them, and this can be a sign of experiencing anxiety

Being mad or upset on the small events or when things did not go as expected. This can be the result of pent-up anxiety. Having negative emotions and struggling to deal with them can result in bad temper, emotional mood swing, and unable to control emotions

Having difficulty to make a decision can also be hidden anxiety. Individuals believe that the choice they make would be wrong and lead to bad results. They overthink the outcome and it takes a much longer time to end up making a choice

Unexplainable physical symptoms

Anxiety can make the brain believe individuals are currently threatened to create too much self-aware. It can include muscle tension, stomach problems, sweating, shaking and more

Tips Pt. 1

Giving hugs to loved ones (family, siblings, friends, pets, etc.) or even your favourite plushies

The feeling of comfort or being safe can reduce anxiety. Therefore, do something that you enjoy that makes you feel comfortable and relaxed. Maybe try watching your favourite movie or reading a book :)

Practice good posture

Reduce fatigue (get more sleep!)
- This will help increase/improve your mindset to be more positive
- Getting enough sleep every night is vital as it can help with focus during the day, as you will not be as tired

(DCD), Digital Communications Division. “What Are the Five Major Types of Anxiety Disorders?” HHS.gov, 20 Oct. 2021, https://www.hhs.gov/answers/mental-health-and-substance-abuse/what-are-the-five-major-types-of-anxiety-disorders/index.html.

Psych2GoTv. “6 Daily Habits to Reduce Stress & Anxiety.” YouTube, YouTube, 7 May 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o18I23HCQtE.

Psych2GoTv. “8 Signs of Anxiety You Might Not Recognize.” YouTube, YouTube, 16 Nov. 2020, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNYrtO0QHVs.

311 Knowledge Base. https://www.toronto.ca/311/knowledgebase/kb/docs/articles/311-toronto/information-and-business-development/crisis-lines-suicide-depression-telephone-support-lines-non-crisis-mental-health-services.html. Accessed on 04 November 2021.

“Healthy vs. Unhealthy Coping Strategies”. DomesticShelters.Org, https://www.domesticshelters.org/articles/after-abuse/healthy-vs-unhealthy-coping-strategies. Accessed on 04 November 2021.

PTSD Treatment Basics - PTSD: National Center for PTSD. https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand_tx/tx_basics.asp. Accessed on 04 November 2021.