Discuss four types of anxiety disorders.

Four major types of anxiety disorders are phobias, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. There are three types of phobias, a term which refers to an irrational or extreme fear of something. Social anxiety disorder (formerly called social phobia) is a fear of social interactions such as dating or giving
a speech. Specific phobias are fears of very specific things, for example heights (acrophobia) or enclosed spaces (claustrophobia). Agoraphobia is the fear of going out in public. Panic disorder is characterized by sudden, inexplicable fits of terror. There is usually a combination of physical symptoms such as intense sweating, nausea, and numbness. People experiencing a panic attack may believe they are suffering a heart attack. People with panic disorder may develop agoraphobia. Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) includes a chronic, unexplained sense of dread. There is usually no specific focus to the worry, and the anxiety may float around with the person to different circumstances. Other characteristics include shakiness, difficulty relaxing, and fidgeting. People with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are plagued by insistent, repetitive thoughts (obsessions). These thoughts typically cause great anxiety. The person is then compelled to engage in some ritualistic,
repetitive behavior (compulsion) to ward off the anxiety. A typical obsession has to do with germs. A person may have a great fear of being dirty, and as a result may wash his or her hands repeatedly, or take numerous baths or showers each day.