Anxiety Disorders
                     ANXIETY 
DISORDERS
Introduction
• Anxiety disorders are a type of mental health condition. Anxiety 
makes it difficult to get through your day. 
• Symptoms include feelings of nervousness, panic and fear as 
well as sweating and a rapid heartbeat. 
• Treatments include medications and cognitive behavioral 
therapy. Your healthcare can design a treatment plan that’s 
best for you.
Source: my.clevelandclinic.org
When it happens?
• An anxiety disorder happens when:
• Anxiety interferes with your ability to function.
• You often overreact when something triggers your 
emotions.
• You can’t control your responses to situations.
Source: my.clevelandclinic.org
Who is at risk for 
anxiety disorders?
• A mix of genetic and environmental factors can raise a person’s 
risk for developing anxiety disorders. You may be at higher risk 
if you have or had:
• Certain personality traits, such as shyness or behavioral 
inhibition feeling uncomfortable with, and avoiding, 
unfamiliar people, situations or environments.
• Stressful or traumatic events in early childhood or 
adulthood.
• Family history of anxiety or other mental health 
conditions.
Source: my.clevelandclinic.org
Types of anxiety 
disorders
• There are several types of anxiety disorders, including:
• Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
• Panic disorder
• Phobias
• Separation anxiety
Source: my.clevelandclinic.org
What is generalized 
anxiety disorder (GAD)?
• With GAD, you may feel extreme and unrealistic worry and 
tension  even if there’s nothing to trigger these feelings. 
• Most days, you may worry a lot about various topics, including 
health, work, school and relationships.
Source: my.clevelandclinic.org
What is a panic 
disorder?
• If you have a panic disorder, you get intense, sudden panic 
attacks. These attacks often feature stronger, more intense 
feelings than other types of anxiety disorders.
Source: my.clevelandclinic.org
What are phobias?
• Phobias are an intense fear of certain situations or objects. 
Some of these fears may make sense, such as a fear of 
snakes. But often, the level of fear doesn’t match the situation.
Source: my.clevelandclinic.org
Social anxiety disorder
• Healthcare providers used to call this condition social phobia. 
You may have overwhelming worry and self-consciousness with 
daily social situations. 
• You may worry about others judging you or you may be anxious 
that you’ll embarrass yourself or open yourself up to ridicule. 
Source: my.clevelandclinic.org
How do anxiety disorders 
affect children?
• It’s normal for children to feel some amount of anxiety, worry or 
fear at certain points. 
• For example, a child may feel scared of a thunderstorm or 
barking dog. A teenager might get anxious about an upcoming 
test or school dance.
Source: my.clevelandclinic.org
What causes anxiety 
disorders?
• Chemical imbalance: Severe or long-lasting stress can change 
the chemical balance that controls your mood.
• Environmental factors: Experiencing a trauma might trigger an 
anxiety disorder, especially in someone who has inherited a 
higher risk to start.
• Heredity: Anxiety disorders tend to run in families. You may 
inherit them from one or both parents, like eye color.
Source: my.clevelandclinic.org