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Anxiety is a normal response to situations of uncertainty, trouble, or feeling unprepared. But if common everyday events bring on severe and persistent anxiety or panic that interferes with your life, you may have an anxiety disorder. Experts believe that anxiety disorders are caused by a combination of biological and environmental factors, much like physical disorders such as heart disease or diabetes. Anxiety disorders are identified as generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, social anxiety disorder, and specific phobias.
What's the difference between everyday stress and anxiety and an anxiety disorder? Read on…
Everyday Stress
or Anxiety |
Anxiety Disorder |
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Occasional worry about circumstantial events, such as bills or a breakup, that may leave you upset |
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Constant, chronic, and unsubstantiated worry that causes significant distress, disturbs your life, and interferes with work |
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Embarrassment or self-consciousness in the face of an uncomfortable social situation |
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Avoidance of common social situations for fear of being judged, embarrassed, or humiliated |
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Random cases of nerves, jitters, dizziness, or sweating over an important event like a business presentation |
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Repeated, random panic attacks that leave you with feelings of terror or impending doom and persistent worry about another panic attack |
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Realistic fear of a threatening object, place, or situation |
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Irrational fear or avoidance of an object, place, or situation that poses little or no threat of danger |
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Wanting to be sure that you are healthy and living in a safe, hazard-free environment |
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Performing uncontrollable, repetitive actions, such as washing your hands repeatedly or checking things over and over |
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Anxiety, sadness, or difficulty sleeping immediately following a traumatic event |
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Ongoing and recurring nightmares, flashbacks, or emotional numbing relating to a traumatic event in your life that occurred several months or years ago |
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