--- title: Types Of Anxiety Disorders date: 2017-02-14T07:08:55Z modified: 2025-02-02T19:03:16Z permalink: "https://drsarahallen.com/anxiety-disorders/" type: post status: publish excerpt: "" wpid: 186683 categories: - Anxiety - Family Counseling - Pregnancy and Postpartum - "Women's Issues" featured_image: "https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/types-of-anxiety.jpg" author: Dr. Sarah Allen --- [![](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/election-result-e1506373472638.jpg) ](https://drsarahallen.com/anxiety-disorders/) Anxiety, worry and stress are a part of everyday life. It can be helpful in spurring us on in to action, for example when we worry about a test, we study, or warn us that a difficult situation is ahead so we can prepare for it. Anxiety becomes a disorder though when the symptoms become chronic and interfere with our daily lives and our ability to function the way we want to. Anxiety is the number one problem that people come to see me about and about 18% of adults and 8% of teens experience symptoms that interfere with their life and happiness. Many do not reach out for help and continue to struggle on and feel less than satisfied with the way their life is. This is such a shame because anxiety is very treatable. ### Everyone’s experience is different but here is a list of common emotional and physical symptoms that people who feel anxious report: - I know that I worry much more than I should - I have trouble controlling constant worries - I am not able to relax - I have a hard time concentrating - I have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep - I feel tired all the time - I have headaches, muscle aches, stomach aches, or unexplained pains - I am irritable and have mood swings ### Although Symptoms are Similar, There are Different Types of Anxiety It is important to get the bottom of exactly what is going on so treatment can be geared to what you need. If you’ve struggled with worry and fears for a long time, it is very likely that you are experiencing Generalized Anxiety Disorder. But what if your symptoms are relatively short-term? Some medical conditions and/or medications can actually cause anxiety or perhaps you have recently experienced a traumatic event or situation? Although symptoms are similar, there are different types of anxiety. Which sounds most like your experience? **Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)** This is the most common form of anxiety and is when people have excessive anxiety and worry which occurs more days than not. In addition, symptoms of restlessness, fatigue, concentration problems, irritability, muscle tension and sleep disturbance may be present. Someone experiencing GAD finds it really difficult to control or regulate their worry. **Panic Disorder** A panic attack is an intense fear or discomfort accompanied by physical symptoms such as sweating, trembling and chest pain. People’s thoughts are usually about fear of losing control and/or dying. A panic attack can happen with any of the anxiety disorders, but panic disorder itself is characterized by recurrent, unexpected panic attacks and persistent concerns about having additional panic attacks. **Social Phobia** This is where people worry about social situations and have a fear of being seen negatively by others. This often leads to people avoiding social situations or if they have to go there is a lot of worry beforehand and often rumination about it afterwards. **Specific Phobia** This is when anxiety is a persistent and excessive fear about an anticipated or actual encounter with a specific object or situation e.g. spiders. A phobic person often organizes their life around avoiding it. **Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)** A person with OCD has obsessions (which are persistent thoughts, images or impulses) and compulsions (which are behaviors done to reduce their anxiety). Having OCD is time-consuming and can really impact life activities. People with OCD recognize that their worries and compensating behaviors are excessive but cannot stop for fear of what will happen if they don’t do them. The most frequent compulsions involve washing and cleaning, counting, seeking assurances, checking and/or repeating actions. **Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)** The anxiety in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is clearly associated with a traumatic event that the person experienced or witnessed and involved intense fear, horror or helplessness. In addition, there are recurrent, intrusive recollections of the events which are anxiety-provoking and distressing to the person. There may be avoidance of any situations associated with the original trauma and other anxiety-related symptoms such as hyper-vigilance or exaggerated startle response. **Pregnancy** **& Postpartum Anxiety** This is when symptoms occur during pregnancy or up to a year after having a baby. Approximately 6% of pregnant women and 10% of postpartum women develop anxiety, sometimes alone, and sometimes in addition to depression. ### All types of anxiety have two things in common. Firstly, it feels absolutely horrible to when you experience anxiety and your quality of life is really effected. Secondly, and very importantly, treatment can be very effective. Through proven, research-based therapy methods and my 20 years of experience, I can quickly get to the root of the problem. Using a compassionate, problem-solving approach to identify and treat the issues that are causing you to feel overwhelmed and stressed, we work together to help you worry less and enjoy life more. I put together a booklet with some strategies I am always giving to my clients to help them begin to feel less anxiety and to worry less. I hope that you will find it helpful too. [![](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Anxiety-and-Worry-3d1-237x300-1.png) ](https://drsarahallen.com/anxiety-counseling/free-anxiety-book/)Add your first name and email address in the box below and you will be sent the steps to download your FREE book. Please let me know if you have any questions after reading the booklet. Also, if you would like to read more, I have several [blog posts ](https://drsarahallen.com/category/anxiety/)on my blog about anxiety and other issues that can affect the way you feel. In a supportive environment with a therapist who has over 20 years experience you can learn how to reduce worrying by: - Learning a variety of relaxation and breathing strategies which can help you reduce your overall levels of stress and help you face anxiety-provoking situations. - Learning how to distinguish between worries that require your attention and worries that are unnecessary. - Learning skills to manage anxious thoughts and to tackle fears that may have been holding you back.While all your worries won’t disappear, you will be given strategies to manage them better and tools to reduce the impact they have on your life. ### **If you feel anxiety is standing in the way of you leading the life you want to, call me on [847 791-7722](tel:8477917722) or via the [contact form.](https://drsarahallen.com/contact/)** ![Dr. Sarah Allen](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Asset-1@2x-809x1024.jpg) ## If you have any questions, or would like to set up an appointment to work with me and learn how to reduce anxiety, please contact me at [847 791-7722]() or on the form below. _If you would like to read more about me and my areas of specialty, please visit [Dr. Sarah Allen Bio](https://drsarahallen.com/about-dr-sarah/)._ _Dr. Allen’s professional licenses only allows her to work with clients who live in IL, FL & the UK and unfortunately does not allow her to give personalized advice via email to people who are not her clients._ Dr. Allen sees clients in person in her [Northbrook, IL office](https://drsarahallen.com/office-directions-1363-shermer-northbrook/) or [remotely via video or phone. ](https://drsarahallen.com/telephone-online-sessions/) [Remote Counseling](https://drsarahallen.com/telephone-online-sessions/) [In Person Appointments In Northbrook, IL](https://drsarahallen.com/contact/) Δ document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); ![](/wp-content/themes/utopian/assets/images/wall.png) ## What Can I Read That Helps Me While I Am Waiting For My First Appointment With Sarah? Download this free booklet to gain valuable insights and practical strategies for managing anxiety and worrying. ![](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Anxiety-and-Worry-3d1.png) - [ ![](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Dr.-Sarah-Allen-Northrook-Therapist-Focuses-On-Reducing-Anxiety-e1492211628376.jpg) ](https://drsarahallen.com/northbrook-therapist-helps-depression-anxiety-in-chicago-northshore/) ### [ Northbrook Therapist Helps Depression And Anxiety In Chicago Northshore ](https://drsarahallen.com/northbrook-therapist-helps-depression-anxiety-in-chicago-northshore/) [VIEW MORE](https://drsarahallen.com/northbrook-therapist-helps-depression-anxiety-in-chicago-northshore/) By Dr. Sarah Allen - [ ![](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Holiday-Stress-Management.jpg) ](https://drsarahallen.com/?p=186651) ### [ Tips For A Happy and Less Stressful Holiday Part One: Lower Your Expectations ](https://drsarahallen.com/?p=186651) [VIEW MORE](https://drsarahallen.com/?p=186651) By Dr. Sarah Allen - [ ![](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Make-Time-For-Yourself-2.jpg) ](https://drsarahallen.com/?p=186659) ### [ Tips For A Happy and Less Stressful Holiday – Part Two: Make Time To Look After Yourself ](https://drsarahallen.com/?p=186659) [VIEW MORE](https://drsarahallen.com/?p=186659) By Dr. Sarah Allen ## As featured in [ ![](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/O_The_Oprah_Magazine.svg) ](https://drsarahallen.com/media) [ ![](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/bbc-logo-red-e1711144655268.jpg) ](https://drsarahallen.com/media) [ ![](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Glamour-Logo.svg.png) ](https://drsarahallen.com/media) [ ![](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/layer1@2x.png) ](https://drsarahallen.com/media) [ ![](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Readers-Digest-Logo.svg) ](https://drsarahallen.com/media) [ ![](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/redbook-logo.png) ](https://drsarahallen.com/media) [ ![](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/psychologist-brand-title.svg) ](https://drsarahallen.com/media) [ ![](https://drsarahallen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Womans-world-logo_29.webp) ](https://drsarahallen.com/media) ### Empowered to Combat Anxiety. Dr. Allen has helped me through several difficult times. She has taught me tools to use to combat anxiety which is something I have dealt with my whole life. She has empowered me and given me strength that I didn’t know I had. I am so thankful! #### Beth R. ### Excellent Therapist! Dr. Allen is a colleague of mine and she is an excellent therapist. She is warm, caring, and exceptional at her work. I refer clients to Dr. Allen and I highly recommend her if you are looking for a top notch therapist. #### Jodi Petchenik, LCSW ### Dr. Allen Helped Me to Feel More Empowered Dr. Allen has really helped me find my own voice. When I began therapy I would swing between being passive and doing whatever other people wanted me to do to being angry and frustrated. I have been on antidepressants for quite a few years but it wasn’t really working. Through therapy I have learned to listen to my own needs and to speak up. I used to worry that people wouldn’t like me if I didn’t agree with them but when Dr. Allen gave me the support I needed I challenged my fears. I spend a lot less time feeling angry and depressed now and I have really widened my social network. This is how I have always wanted to be but didn’t know how to get there. Dr. Allen has a very reassuring manner and makes you challenge yourself but by using small steps so you feel ready to do it. I have really come out of my shell and would recommend anyone who is feeling depressed to come and talk with her. #### Rebecca F. ### Worrier No More. I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t a worrier and when my doctor suggested therapy instead of an antidepressant I didn’t think it could really help. I was totally wrong. I don’t spend so much time worrying about the “what ifs” now and concentrate on working on things that are in my control to change in the “here and now” rather than in the past or future. I spend much less time in my head worrying about everything and now have useful strategies to deal with many situations at home and at work. Life is much less stressful and I find myself teaching people I manage at work the strategies Dr. Allen taught me. #### Marcia B. ### Worry & Panic Attacks Transformed by Dr. Allen Last year I was so crippled by anxiety and panic attacks and I didn’t believe that anything or anyone would be able to help me. Since seeing you my life has changed forever and I am finally turning into the person that I always wanted to be…and the person I never thought I could be. You will be the person I call if I start to feel that way again. #### Wendy T. ### Trusted & Knowledgeable Therapist. When I need to refer any of my patients for talk therapy I immediately think of Dr. Allen as she is wonderful at helping people with severe and complex issues really get to the root of their problems. She is very caring and knowledgeable and I have found her extensive experience really helps people to change their lives for the better. #### Dr. Teresa Poprawski ## Topics **Categories:** [Anxiety](https://drsarahallen.com/category/anxiety/), [Family Counseling](https://drsarahallen.com/category/family-counseling/), [Pregnancy and Postpartum](https://drsarahallen.com/category/pregnancy-and-postpartum/), [Women's Issues](https://drsarahallen.com/category/womens-issues/)