It’s normal to feel anxious before a big decision or major life event. But when that worry sticks around or disrupts your daily life, it could be something more. Anxiety disorders show up in different ways, and learning how yours works is a powerful first step toward finding the right support.
Key takeaways
- Anxiety shows up in different forms: GAD, panic disorder, social anxiety, separation anxiety, and phobias each have unique symptoms and triggers.
- Causes are layered: genetics, brain chemistry, life experiences, and stress all play a role.
- Treatment works: CBT, exposure therapy, and sometimes medication are highly effective options.
- Avoidance increases anxiety over time: early support helps prevent symptoms from worsening and restores daily functioning.
- Anxiety disorders go beyond everyday worry: they’re persistent, excessive, and disrupt daily life, which is why getting support early matters.
What are common types of anxiety disorders?
Anxiety shows up in many forms. Sometimes it lives in your body. Sometimes it loops through your mind. Sometimes it quietly changes your behavior without you even noticing. Learning about different types of anxiety disorders can make it easier to recognize what you are going through. Common types of anxiety disorders include:
- Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
- Panic disorder
- Social anxiety disorder
- Separation anxiety disorder
- Specific phobias
Each type of anxiety has its own set of symptoms, triggers, and treatments. Learning how they differ can help you find the most supportive path forward. Below, we’ll go into more detail on the most common types of anxiety disorders and what each one can look like.
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) involves frequent, hard-to-control worry. It usually centers around routine things, like work, health, or plans. It can be so intense that it begins disrupting your day-to-day life. This worry can feel all-consuming, even when there’s no clear reason for it.
What causes generalized anxiety disorder?
There’s no single cause of GAD. It usually develops through a mix of biological, environmental, and psychological factors. In some cases, it may run in families, suggesting a genetic predisposition to worry or heightened sensitivity to stress. But genetics is only one part of the picture.
Your early experiences also shape how your nervous system learns to respond to the world. If you grew up in an unpredictable or high-pressure environment, your brain may have learned to stay “on alert” as a way of staying safe. Over time, this can develop into a habit of chronic worry, even when things seem okay.
Brain chemistry plays a role, too. If you live with GAD, your brain may handle fear and uncertainty differently. Research suggests that this could be linked to how areas like the amygdala and prefrontal cortex regulate emotions. Long-term stress, trauma, or ongoing life pressures can make your brain’s alarm system extra sensitive. This can cause anxiety to become a daily pattern instead of an occasional response. Living with GAD doesn’t mean you’re flawed. It often means your brain has simply learned to stay on high alert, and with support, it can learn to relax again.
How is generalized anxiety disorder treated?
Treating GAD is about helping you respond to it in a calmer, more grounded way. With the right support, many people find they can quiet the noise in their minds and feel more in control of their thoughts.
Therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is often a go-to treatment for GAD. It teaches you to identify anxious thinking patterns and replace them with more helpful perspectives. Skills like relaxation, worry exposure, and problem-solving are often included.
Medication
SSRIs or other anti-anxiety medications may also be recommended to reduce symptoms and help regulate mood. Many people benefit from combining therapy with lifestyle changes and support. Dr. Nicole Morris, DNP, PMHNP-BC, a Grow Therapy provider, says:
“CBT isn’t just the gold standard for treating GAD, it’s a transformative tool that empowers you to reshape your thoughts, break free from anxiety, and reclaim your life. I’ve witnessed firsthand the profound strength that comes when people shift their perspective and embrace their own healing,”
Why getting help for generalized anxiety disorder matters
GAD can sneak up on you, quietly wearing down your energy, confidence, and daily rhythm. It often builds gradually, making it hard to notice how much it’s impacting your quality of life. That is, until daily tasks, sleep, or relationships begin to suffer. The good news is that GAD is one of the most treatable anxiety disorders.
Many people see meaningful improvement. The earlier you seek support, the more tools you have to manage stress and prevent symptoms from worsening. You don’t need to hit a breaking point to deserve care. Help is most effective when accessed early.
Panic disorder
Panic disorder is marked by a constant fear that something is wrong with your body or that you’re not safe, even in everyday situations. This fear can become so consuming that it starts to shape your routines, your sense of safety, and your trust in your own body. Many people begin avoiding certain places, activities, or sensations out of fear that something bad might happen.
Over time, this pattern can limit your freedom and increase stress. Panic disorder isn’t just about being fearful; it’s a cycle that can take over your life, but it’s also highly treatable with the right support.
What is a panic attack?
A panic attack is a sudden wave of intense fear or physical distress that peaks within minutes. It can come out of nowhere or be triggered by stress, overstimulation, or even a change in how your body feels.
During a panic attack, your body might feel:
- A strong need to escape
- Worry that something terrible is happening
- The sense that you’re losing control or dying
- Feeling disconnected from your body or surroundings
It’s easy to mistake panic attack symptoms for heart attacks or other medical emergencies. Many people end up in the ER because the symptoms are so intense. Having one or two panic attacks doesn’t mean you have panic disorder. However, the fear of another attack can change your behavior and affect your daily life.
You may find yourself avoiding places or situations where you’ve had a panic attack before. This pattern of avoidance can shrink your sense of freedom and increase anxiety over time. But with support, you can learn to trust your body again and slowly rebuild confidence in the places or moments that feel hardest.
What causes panic disorder?
Panic disorder doesn’t have one single cause. It usually develops from a combination of factors. Some people may have a genetic predisposition, meaning the condition runs in their family. In fact, research suggests that first-degree relatives of someone with panic disorder are significantly more likely to experience it themselves.
Brain chemistry also plays a role. Certain areas of the brain involved in fear and emotion regulation, like the amygdala, may be more reactive in people with panic disorder. This can make it harder to “turn off” the body’s alarm system once it’s been activated.
For others, panic disorder may begin after a period of high stress, loss, illness, or significant life change. People who are highly sensitive to changes in their body or emotions may be more likely to misinterpret normal sensations as threatening. This creates a cycle of fear and physical reactivity over time. Understanding that your brain and body are trying to protect you, even when the fear feels out of place, can be a powerful first step toward interrupting the cycle.
How is panic disorder treated?
Panic disorder can make you feel like your own body is the enemy. The goal of treatment is to help you feel safe inside those sensations again.
Therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most effective ways to treat panic disorder. It helps you understand how your thoughts and body sensations are connected. You’ll also learn simple tools to manage panic attacks and feel more in control when they happen.
Medication
Medications like SSRIs are often used to reduce how often panic attacks happen. In some cases, short-term anti-anxiety medications like benzodiazepines may be prescribed. But they’re typically used for brief periods because of the risk of dependence and their side effects.
Why getting help for panic disorder matters
Living with panic disorder can feel like you’re constantly bracing for the next attack. That kind of hypervigilance is exhausting and can slowly shrink your world. But panic disorder typically responds well to treatment.
With therapy, many people learn to interrupt the cycle of fear. This process can help reduce symptom intensity and restore trust in the body and mind. Early support can prevent avoidance behaviors from becoming entrenched. With time, practice, and the right tools, you can learn to feel safe again. Many people learn to manage their symptoms and regain a sense of safety and freedom with the right care.
Social anxiety disorder
If you have social anxiety disorder (sometimes called social phobia), you might have a strong fear of social situations. You may worry about being judged, embarrassed, or rejected by others. Even things like making small talk or speaking in a meeting can feel overwhelming. This can lead you to avoid people or situations, even if you want a connection.
What causes social anxiety disorder?
Social anxiety often develops from a mix of temperament, life experiences, and brain-based sensitivity to social threat. If you tend to be shy, highly self-aware, or sensitive to others’ opinions, you may be more likely to feel overwhelmed in social settings, especially if those traits were shaped by difficult or critical environments growing up.
Experiences like bullying, teasing, public embarrassment, or harsh judgment can leave lasting imprints. Over time, your brain may start to see social situations, like meetings, parties, or presentations, as potential sources of shame or rejection, even when nothing threatening is happening.
Brain chemistry may also play a role. Some research suggests that people with social anxiety process social feedback differently, particularly in regions of the brain that track facial expressions or evaluate threat. Genetics can add to this sensitivity, especially if anxiety runs in your family. These patterns don’t mean you’re antisocial or broken. They’re often your nervous system’s way of guarding against pain, and with care, that wiring can be softened.
How is social anxiety disorder treated?
Therapy
CBT is highly effective for social anxiety, especially when it includes exposure therapy. Exposure helps you slowly face the situations you fear. It can make them feel less overwhelmed over time.
Medication
Medications like SSRIs may also help ease symptoms so that social situations feel more manageable.
Why getting help for social anxiety disorder matters
Social anxiety can make even everyday interactions feel overwhelming, which is why many people suffer in silence. But isolation tends to deepen anxiety, and reaching out for help can interrupt that cycle.
With support, you can gradually retrain how your brain interprets social cues. This can help reduce self-consciousness and build confidence in your communication. With the right support, you may find that what once felt unbearable becomes more manageable and even enjoyable. Therapy, coping strategies, and self-compassion can help you reconnect in ways that feel safe and authentic.
Separation anxiety disorder
Separation anxiety disorder is most commonly diagnosed in children, but it can affect people of all ages. It’s marked by an overwhelming fear of being apart from someone you’re close to. This fear of separation is “developmentally inappropriate.” That means most people of the same age would be more comfortable in the same situation.
What causes separation anxiety disorder?
Separation anxiety often appears after a major change or a tough time. This can happen when you lose someone important or face a family shift. These moments can make it harder to feel safe when you’re apart from the people you love. This doesn’t mean you’re overly sensitive or too dependent. It just may mean that your nervous system learned to prioritize connection. And with care, it can learn to feel safe again.
Your early relationships also matter. If your caregivers were very protective or didn’t encourage independence, you may not have learned how to feel secure by yourself.
Genetics can play a part, too, especially if your body processes brain chemicals differently. In one study, researchers found that oxytocin signals can affect your sensitivity to separation stress. These fears don’t mean you’re “too attached,” they reflect how your body has learned to keep you safe. And with steady support, it’s possible to feel more secure, even when apart.
How is separation anxiety disorder treated?
Support for separation anxiety often works best when it’s gentle, consistent, and tailored to the person’s age and experience. The goal isn’t to force independence; it’s to build a sense of safety that can hold steady, even when you’re apart from someone you love.
Therapy
- Play therapy helps younger children express their fears through toys or art.
- Family therapy can teach caregivers how to support their child without reinforcing the anxiety.
- CBT helps you spot anxious thoughts and build confidence by facing small separations over time
Medication
In more severe cases, a provider may recommend antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications to reduce intense symptoms. Medication can create more breathing room emotionally, especially when therapy alone isn’t enough. It’s usually part of a broader treatment plan that includes behavioral support.
Why getting help for separation anxiety disorder matters
Separation anxiety doesn’t just impact one person; it can affect entire families. While it often shows up in childhood, it can persist into adulthood, especially after loss or trauma. Without support, the fear of separation can limit independence and contribute to ongoing distress.
Therapy, especially when it involves the whole family, can help shift this dynamic. You can learn to feel secure without constant proximity. Children can develop skills like emotional resilience and confidence. Support doesn’t mean breaking bonds; it helps create healthier, more balanced ones. Even when you’re physically apart from those you care about. With consistent support, confidence and independence often grow over time.
Specific phobias
You may have heard of phobias like claustrophobia (fear of small spaces) or arachnophobia (fear of spiders). These terms are commonly used to explain that someone does not like, or is even made nervous by, a certain thing.
But if you are diagnosed with a specific phobia, it’s because you experience an intense, irrational fear of the object or situation. The good news is that, with gradual exposure and support, most phobias are highly treatable.
Common types of phobias
- Agoraphobia – Fear of being in situations where escape is difficult
- Claustrophobia – Fear of enclosed spaces
- Acrophobia – Fear of heights
- Aerophobia – Fear of flying
- Glossophobia – Fear of public speaking
- Trypanophobia – Fear of needles
What causes phobias?
Phobias often develop from a combination of personal experience, learned behavior, and biology. For some people, a phobia begins after a frightening or overwhelming event, like getting stuck in an elevator or being bitten by a dog. Even a single incident can leave a lasting imprint, especially if your body felt flooded or powerless in the moment.
Other times, phobias are learned indirectly. You might have watched a parent, caregiver, or sibling respond to something with fear, and over time, your brain came to associate that thing with danger, too. This is especially common in childhood, when we’re still figuring out what’s safe and what isn’t.
Genetics can play a role as well. If you have a close family member with a phobia or anxiety disorder, you might be more likely to develop one yourself. And brain chemistry matters too. Some people have more reactive fear responses or are more sensitive to uncertainty and threat cues. That doesn’t mean the fear is “all in your head.” It means your nervous system might be more easily activated.
Even if the original cause is unclear or long in the past, the fear can still feel immediate and intense. Fortunately, your brain can unlearn those fear patterns, and treatment can help you start to feel safer, one step at a time.
How are phobias treated?
Phobias can feel intense, even irrational, but the fear is real, and it deserves care. The good news is that with the right kind of support, phobias often respond well to treatment.
Therapy
- Exposure therapy (usually within CBT): One of the most effective treatments for specific phobias is exposure therapy. This doesn’t mean jumping straight into your biggest fear. Instead, it’s a gentle, step-by-step process. With the support of a trained therapist, you gradually face the thing you fear, starting with the least distressing version and slowly building confidence from there.
Over time, your brain learns: This isn’t as dangerous as it feels. That shift is what makes the fear start to loosen its grip. - Cognitive work: CBT also helps you challenge unhelpful thoughts or exaggerations about the feared object or situation. This can reduce anticipatory anxiety and build a stronger internal sense of safety and self-trust.
Medication
Medication isn’t typically the first line of treatment for phobias. But in some situations, like fear of flying or receiving injections, short-term use of anti-anxiety medication might be recommended to ease intense symptoms during specific exposures.
Why getting help for phobias matters
Phobias may feel irrational, but the fear they create is very real. Avoidance might work temporarily, but over time, it can restrict your freedom and confidence.
The good news is that specific phobias can respond well to treatment, especially exposure-based CBT. With the right support, you can retrain your fear response, reclaim activities you’ve been avoiding, and restore a sense of ease in daily life. Many people find they’re able to move through fear and re-engage with the activities they’ve been avoiding.
What if you have more than one type of anxiety disorder?
It’s completely normal to have more than one type of anxiety at the same time. You might experience panic attacks, worry constantly, and avoid social situations, all at once. Or maybe you notice your anxiety shifting depending on what’s going on in your life.
When that happens, the symptoms can overlap and make it harder to figure out what’s really going on. That’s why it’s important to talk to a licensed mental health provider. They can help you sort through what you’re feeling, help clarify what’s going on, and suggest treatments that support your individual needs.
How anxiety disorders are different from everyday anxiety
Everyone feels anxious from time to time. It can happen before a big decision or while waiting for important news. That kind of anxiety is a normal response to stress. It usually fades once the situation passes or you’ve had time to process it.
But anxiety disorders are different. The fear or worry sticks around, even when the source of stress is gone, and it starts to affect how you think, feel, and function in your daily life. It might keep you up at night, cause physical symptoms, or lead you to avoid people, places, or responsibilities that matter to you.
Clinically, anxiety becomes a disorder when it’s:
- Persistent — it lasts for weeks or months, not just hours or days
- Excessive — the level of fear or worry is out of proportion to the situation
- Impairing — it interferes with work, school, relationships, or your overall well-being
Anxiety disorders also tend to involve patterns of behavior or thought that become hard to break. These can include constant worry, avoidance, or physical symptoms that don’t get better. These patterns are often reinforced over time, even if the person logically knows the fear isn’t necessary.
This doesn’t mean everyday anxiety isn’t valid. But when anxiety starts to shape your decisions, shrink your world, or feel impossible to manage on your own, it may be time to get help. You don’t need to wait until things feel unbearable to reach out. All anxiety deserves support.
Frequently asked questions
The best way to tell what type of anxiety you have is by talking to a licensed mental health care provider. Different anxiety disorders share overlapping symptoms, like excessive worry or physical discomfort. A professional evaluation can help you understand your situation. It also points you to the best treatment plan.
Yes, someone can have more than one anxiety disorder. It’s common to have more than one type of anxiety disorder at the same time. For example, someone with GAD might also experience panic attacks or social anxiety. That’s why getting personalized care can make such a big difference.
Anxiety disorders can develop from a mix of genetic, environmental, and neurological factors. Some people may have a family history of anxiety, while others develop it in response to trauma, stress, or imbalances in brain chemistry.
Yes, anxiety can start in adulthood. Some anxiety disorders begin in childhood or adolescence. Conditions like generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, and phobias commonly emerge during adulthood. These are often in response to stress or significant life changes.
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer for how to relieve anxiety. But there are several strategies that can help you feel more grounded. These things include:
Movement
Calming breathing
Journaling
Learning how to respond to anxious thoughts
Opening up about anxiety isn’t always easy, but it can help you feel less alone. Whether you’re talking to a friend, partner, or doctor, sharing what you’ve been going through at your own pace can build understanding and support. Even small conversations can go a long way.
No, anxiety looks and feels different for everyone. Some people experience physical symptoms like a racing heart or nausea, while others feel stuck in worry or dread. Your experience is valid, even if it doesn’t match someone else’s.
Sometimes anxiety can ease over time, especially if it’s tied to a specific situation. But if it’s interfering with your daily activities or keeps coming back, getting support can help you feel better and prevent it from getting worse. And no matter how long anxiety has been present, change is always possible.
Yes, anxiety can start at any age. Kids and teens might show it through clinginess, trouble sleeping, or avoiding school or social activities. If you’re a parent or caregiver, recognizing the signs early can make a big difference. Supportive therapies like play therapy or family counseling can help children express their feelings in a safe way. It can also help them build skills for managing anxiety early on.