University Counseling Center

Understanding Anxiety Disorders

While anxiety is a normal and adaptive experience for everyone, anxiety disorders are characterized by significant distress or impairment in social, academic/occupational, or other important areas of functioning (e.g., your general ability to function in life). 

Some of the most common anxiety disorders include:

Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Chronic and unrealistic worry that feels difficult to control about everyday things (i.e., things that do not worry most people)

Social Anxiety Disorder: Chronic worry solely related to social situations

Panic Disorder: Characterized by episodes of “panic” that include things like: adrenaline surge, fear of losing control, chest pain, racing heart, shortness of breath, dizziness

Phobias:Specific fears that are excessive in nature and often lead to avoiding that which is feared (e.g., public speaking, heights, tunnels, etc.)

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Excessive rumination (thinking) with repetitive behaviors to reduce anxiety

Last Updated: 7/15/24