Anxiety Disorder - Symptoms and Some

Types By Maurice Prout

A professor at Widener University's Institute for Graduate Clinical Psychology for 35 years, Dr. Maurice Prout explores a variety of research topics. The study of anxiety disorders forms a significant part of Maurice Prout's work.

Anxiety disorders display a number of symptoms. Physical signs include rapid breathing, an elevated heart rate, trembling, sweating, or fatigue. Mental indicators revolve around obsessive worrying and a sense of imminent danger.

Generalized anxiety disorder involves out-of-proportion worrying about even everyday events. Like many mental illnesses, exact causes are hard to pin down. Traumatic events seem to be a trigger in persons prone to anxiety.

Introduction

Genetic factors may also play a role. People with this condition often have trouble concentrating on other activities and may have other anxiety disorders as well.

Phobias are a type of disorder in which patients feel a strong desire to avoid specific situations. Some persons experience panic attacks as a result. Panic attacks take the form of bursts of intense fear, even terror. They usually last only a few minutes.

Social anxiety disorder manifests itself as avoidance of social occasions due to worries about making a negative impression. It can provoke feelings of embarrassment and self-consciousness.

Anxiety Disorder