WHEN we talk about mental health, we often hear the term “disorder.” It’s a clinical term used to describe a range of conditions, and this month, as we continue our series on misunderstood mental health terminology, we’re focusing on anxiety disorders.
The very word, “disorder” can sound quite clinical, even a bit frightening, and for many, it carries a weight of stigma, something I try to challenge regularly in this column.
Perhaps it makes us think of something being fundamentally “wrong” or “broken.”
While the term “disorder” helps professionals categorise and understand these conditions, the lived experience of anxiety is far more personal and varied. Here are several of the main types, each with its own unique characteristics:
Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD): The persistent worrier
Generalised Anxiety Disorder, or GAD, is characterised by excessive worry about a variety of things, even when there’s little or no reason to worry. This isn’t just occasional worrying; it’s a persistent state of anxiety that can make it difficult to relax and concentrate. People with GAD might worry about their health, finances, family, work, or just general day-to-day things, often finding it hard to control these anxious thoughts.
Panic Disorder: The sudden surge of fear
Panic disorder involves recurrent and unexpected panic attacks. These aren’t just moments of feeling stressed; they are sudden, intense surges of fear that can peak within minutes and involve physical symptoms like a racing heart, shortness of breath, dizziness, and a feeling of losing control or even dying. The fear of having another panic attack can also become a significant source of anxiety for individuals with panic disorder.
Social Anxiety Disorder (Social Phobia): Fear of social situations
Social Anxiety Disorder, also known as social phobia, is characterised by an intense fear of social situations where one might be scrutinised by others. This fear goes beyond just feeling a bit shy; it can be so severe that it interferes with daily activities, such as going to work, attending social events, or even speaking in public. The underlying fear is often of being judged, humiliated, or rejected.
Specific Phobias: Intense fear of specific things
These involve an intense and irrational fear of a specific object or situation, such as spiders, heights, flying, or enclosed spaces. This fear is out of proportion to the actual danger posed by the object or situation and can lead to significant avoidance behaviours. Encountering the trigger can lead to immediate and severe anxiety or even a panic attack.
I’ll be back next week with some more myth busting ‘Mental Health Awareness’ facts.
Martin Furber is a therapist. Contact: wellbeing@martinfurber.com
If you are in a mental health crisis or emergency contact your GP, go to A&E, call NHS 111 (option2), the Samaritans on 116 123 or text SHOUT to 85258.
