Panic disorder is marked by recurrent panic attacks—sudden waves of intense fear with strong body sensations like racing heart, shortness of breath, dizziness, or chest pain. People often fear losing control, fainting, or dying. Because attacks can feel unpredictable, many start to avoid certain places or activities, which can make the condition more limiting over time.
GAD involves chronic, excessive worry about everyday things—work, health, finances, relationships—often even when there’s little reason for concern. People with GAD may feel restless, tense, tired, or struggle with concentration and sleep. Unlike panic disorder, GAD is more about constant background worry than sudden intense episodes.
Also called social phobia, this disorder is characterized by intense fear of being judged, embarrassed, or rejected in social situations. It goes beyond shyness—people may avoid parties, public speaking, or even everyday interactions like eating in front of others, which can strongly impact school, work, and relationships.
Phobias are intense, irrational fears of certain objects or situations—like flying, heights, spiders, or blood. The fear is out of proportion to the actual danger, but the body reacts with strong anxiety or panic when faced with the phobic trigger. Many people go out of their way to avoid their feared object or situation.
Agoraphobia is the fear of being in places where escape might be difficult or help unavailable during a panic attack. Common fears include using public transport, being in open or crowded spaces, or leaving home alone. It often develops after repeated panic attacks and can sometimes keep people largely housebound.
Most common in children, but it can also affect adults. It involves extreme distress when being apart from loved ones, often with worries that something bad will happen to them or to oneself. It goes beyond normal attachment and can interfere with daily functioning.
Also distinct but related, PTSD involves anxiety symptoms after trauma, including flashbacks, avoidance, and hypervigilance.
Once classified separately, OCD involves intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions) to reduce anxiety.