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Anxiety Disorders

- Summary
- About anxiety disorders
- Types and differences
- Risk factors and causes
- Signs and symptoms
- Diagnosis methods
- Treatment options
- Prevention methods
- Questions for your doctor

Reviewed By:
Steven A. King, M.D.
Tahir Tellioglu, M.D., APA, AAAP

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-	Anxiety Disorders Quiz
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Signs and symptoms of anxiety disorders

Symptoms related to anxiety disorders may differ slightly depending on the nature of the disorder affecting a patient. For example, patients with panic disorder may experience panic attacks that include rapid heartbeat, heavy sweating and shortness of breath. Meanwhile, patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder may find themselves unable to stop thinking certain thoughts or to stop performing rituals repetitively, to the point that the rituals become time-consuming.

Patients diagnosed with one form of anxiety disorder often are also diagnosed with a second anxiety disorder. In addition, many patients with anxiety disorders also are diagnosed with other mental health disorders, such as depression, eating disorders or substance abuse.

Some of the symptoms associated with major anxiety disorders are as follows:

Condition	Symptoms
Panic disorder	Recurrent episodes of panic attacks which feature rapid or pounding heartbeat or palpitations, heavy sweating and shortness of breath
Phobias	Extreme and irrational fears of something that in actuality poses little or no threat.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder	Recurrent and persistent thoughts or impulses – examples include excessive handwashing or checking repeatedly to make sure the stove is off
Post-traumatic stress disorder	Flashbacks or nightmares, emotional numbness, headaches, dizziness, chest pain
Acute stress disorder	Anxiety, dissociation and other symptoms within a month of exposure to trauma
Generalized anxiety disorder	Excessive anxiety and worry, irritability, restlessness, fatigue, trembling