Panic Disorder is characterized by recurrent, unexpected panic attacks. A panic attack is a sudden, very unpleasant rush of intense fear or discomfort. Panic attacks include physical symptoms such as racing heart, shortness of breath, and chest pain, and a person experiencing a panic attack may believe that he or she is having a heart attack and is about to die. Because panic attacks occur unexpectedly, a person with panic disorder may live in constant fear of the next panic attack.

Panic Disorder may lead to the development of Agoraphobia, in which the person begins to fear and avoid situations where escape might be difficult (or embarrassing) in the event of a panic attack, such as crowded rooms, driving, or being outside the home alone.

As its name implies, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is characterized by obsessions and compulsions. Obsessions are recurrent and persistent thoughts, images, or impulses, such as fear of being contaminated by germs, fear that a loved one will be harmed, or unwanted and intrusive sexual thoughts. Compulsions are recurrent behaviors or mental acts, such as hand washing, checking, or counting, that the person feels driven to perform to decrease the anxiety cause by an obsession, or according to rules that must be applied rigidly.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder can develop in response to a traumatic event, such as violent crime, combat, or natural disaster. Following the event, the person with posttraumatic stress disorder develops symptoms such as intrusive memories of the event, nightmares, difficulty sleeping, and irritability.

Specific Phobias are fear and avoidance of specific objects or situations, such as heights, flying, animals, injections, or seeing blood.

Social Phobia is fear and avoidance of situations that involve exposure to unfamiliar people or to possible scrutiny by others. The person with social phobia fears that he or she will behave in a way that will be humiliating or embarrassing. Commonly feared social situations include parties, dating, and public speaking.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder is characterized by excessive and distressing worry about a number of topics such as money, work or school performance, one’s health, the health and safety of family members, and minor matters such as household responsibilities or being late for appointments.