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In Part I, we looked at anxiety that becomes more than ordinary worry—and why recognizing serious anxiety matters, particularly when someone is struggling emotionally. But anxiety does not look the same in everyone.
Knowing the Seven Anxiety Disorders and understanding their differences can help replace judgment with compassion.
GENERALIZED ANXIETY DISORDER (GAD)
A person with GAD may worry excessively about everyday matters but not necessarily based on the reality of a problem – there’s a lot of ‘what-iffing’. Focusing on the worst possibilities about health, family, finances, work or general fears of life, worry can be difficult if not impossible to control and may be accompanied by restlessness, muscle tension, fatigue, sleep problems and/or difficulty concentrating. There is an unending battle going on in the mind and it is exhausting.
Treatment may include therapy, medication and changes in lifestyle to healthier routines. The good news: people can learn to manage worry and improve their quality of life but usually this requires professional help.
PANIC DISORDER
Panic Attacks can arrive suddenly and feel terrifying. A racing heart, sweating, trembling, shortness of breath, dizziness or a feeling of losing control may make someone fear they are dying or having a medical emergency. Panic Disorder involves recurrent unexpected attacks and ongoing concern or changes in behavior because of them. Therapy, particularly Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and medication is often required. Understanding the panic cycle can reduce its power.
SOCIAL ANXIETY DISORDER
This is more than shyness or being an introvert. A person may have an intense fear of being judged, embarrassed, rejected or humiliated. They strive to avoid conversations with strangers, meetings, public speaking, social events or other situations where they feel exposed. Speaking in front of any group is often the number one fear. Therapy and gradual exposure can help, and medication may sometimes be appropriate on a short-term basis. With treatment, people can become more comfortable participating in life.
SPECIFIC PHOBIA
This involves an intense, persistent fear of a particular object or situation— such as heights, flying, animals, germs, needles or blood. The fear may lead to significant avoidance. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and gradual exposure are common treatments. Fear can be learned—and it can also be unlearned.
AGORAPHOBIA
A person with Agoraphobia may fear situations where escape or help might be difficult if panic-like symptoms occur. Crowds, public transportation, lines, open or enclosed spaces, or being outside the home alone may become frightening. Treatment can include therapy and gradual, individualized exposure. Getting a person to see a professional may require a family intervention; thus, the family goes together to a professional and learns how to construct an intervention. And a therapist that will make a home visit, though rare, may be required. Treatment can help expand a world that anxiety has begun to shrink.
SEPARATION ANXIETY DISORDER
This involves excessive fear or distress about being separated from someone to whom a person is strongly attached. It may include fears that something terrible will happen, reluctance to leave home or be alone, sleep difficulties or physical symptoms. It can occur in children and adults, but children most often have a fear that the parent or other caregiver will be hurt while away or not return. Psychotherapy, Play Therapy with children and gradual exposure and family involvement can help. This is not simply being ‘clingy.’ Understanding can open the door to compassion and help.
SELECTIVE MUTISM
Usually occurring in childhood, a child may be able to speak normally in comfortable settings but consistently be unable to speak in certain social situations, such as school. The child may appear frozen, withdrawn or extremely quiet. Often, they are viewed as oppositional. Selective mutism is not stubbornness or defiance. Treatment may include behavioral approaches, Play or Art Therapy, and/or gradual speaking practice; and cooperation among parents, schools and clinicians is essential. If untreated, individuals can continue with this disorder into adulthood. When anxiety is understood, children (and adults) can be helped rather than pressured or shamed.
UNDERSTANDING THE CYCLE
Many anxiety disorders involve a similar pattern: Alarm _ Fear/Worry _ Avoidance or Escape Avoiding something frightening can bring shortterm relief—but it can also strengthen the fear over time. That is why compassion matters.
We do not need to diagnose someone to recognize that they may be struggling. The person who avoids crowds may not be antisocial. The person terrified of flying is not being ridiculous. The person who repeatedly asks, “What if something goes wrong?” is not simply choosing to worry. And the child who cannot speak at school is not being defiant.
Instead of saying, “Just get over it,” we can say: “I can see that you’re struggling. How can I help?”
Anxiety disorders are real. They are treatable. Recovery is possible.
If you want to talk about your anxiety and get support: Call-Chat-Text 988; 24/7 Free Support; Specialist for Teens, Veterans and Spanish Speakers For an immediate life-threatening emergency: Call 911. Let the Dispatcher know of your situation; ask for the Colorado County Mental Health Deputy. Help is available.
