Anxiety Disorders are often the result of trauma. These disorders can include panic, generalized anxiety, obsessive compulsive, social phobia and posttraumatic stress.
Panic Disorder is characterized by recurrent panic attacks accompanied by four of the following symptoms: palpitations, sweating, trembling, shortness of breath, chest pain, nausea, lightheaded and a fear of dying.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder is characterized by excessive anxiety and worry accompanied by three of the following symptoms: restlessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, muscle tension and impaired sleep.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is characterized by obsessions or compulsions accompanied by persistent and impulsive thoughts or repetetive and extreme behaviours designed to reduce anxiety.
Social Phobia is marked by a significant distress towards social or performance situations resulting in impaired functioning.
PTSD is marked by a severe trauma resulting in a fear response and defined by the presence of re-experiencing, avoidance and hypervigilant symptoms that cause significant functional impairment.
About the author