How to identify the symptoms of 3 common anxiety disorders

Living with an anxiety disorder isn’t easy. In fact, it can be debilitating and cause significant distress for those who suffer from the condition.

People can find help right here in the Valley at the OCD & Anxiety Treatment Center, which recently opened its first Arizona location in Mesa near Extension and Baseline roads.

The center, which treats patients suffering from anxiety disorders through the use of exposure-based therapies, wants to help people identify the symptoms of three common anxiety disorders.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder is characterized by chronic and excessive worry. For those struggling with GAD, the worry can become so consuming that it causes a disruption in daily functioning.

The disorder may cause people to spend hours worrying about topics such as work, school, relationships, finances, social interactions and more.

Most individuals with GAD also suffer from physical symptoms like stomachaches, headaches, fatigue, muscle soreness or difficulty sleeping.

Social Anxiety Disorder makes it difficult for people to enjoy social interactions due to intense fears of scrutiny or judgment.

Still, the disorder doesn’t limit itself to impacting parties or social gatherings. SAD can also cause intense distress around everyday tasks like talking with coworkers, going to the grocery store or ordering food from a restaurant.

It’s important to remember that Social Anxiety Disorder isn’t a personality trait; it’s an anxiety disorder.

Someone who is shy or prefers alone time doesn’t necessarily have the condition. In fact, those who struggle with Social Anxiety Disorder often chronically avoid social situations due to the intense distress they experience.

Individuals who are struggling with Panic Disorder experience intense fear of having another panic attack.

A panic attack is a sudden onset of extreme fear accompanied by physical sensations like racing heart, nausea, dizziness, difficulty breathing, sweating, tingling or numbness, hot or cold chills, feeling a loss of control of the situation or fear of losing their mind or going crazy.

Individuals with Panic Disorder often avoid situations or places that they worry might trigger an attack.

It is important to remember that the term “panic attack” should not be trivialized to describe a moment of distress or emotional overwhelm in situations that do not include the symptoms above.

Those who have panic attacks may also not suffer from Panic Disorder, as the condition is technically characterized by the fear of recurrent attacks.

People can learn more about these disorders and take an online quiz at the OCD & Anxiety Treatment Center website.

Those who could benefit from the center’s specialized services are encouraged to reach out by phone at 480-900-1000 or by email at admissions@liveuncertain.com.