Understanding the Spectrum of Anxiety Disorders: It’s Not Just About Being Worried All the Time

Everyone hears about anxiety and how it causes you to be constantly worried. However, anxiety is not just about those racing, worrying thoughts. As it turns out, like many other psychological or developmental disorders, it comes in a spectrum. At its core, anxiety is a natural human response. It’s what keeps us alert, aware, and safe. But when that response becomes overwhelming, it shifts into something far more complex than everyday nerves.

How Anxiety Becomes a Problem

So, what makes an anxiety disorder a disorder? It often comes down to intensity and impact. People may experience racing thoughts they can’t turn off, physical symptoms like trembling or shortness of breath, or a constant sense of dread that shows up without an apparent trigger. These symptoms can quietly affect work, relationships, and daily routines, even when someone appears “fine” on the outside.

Trust us when we say that you should dig a little deeper when someone says they are doing fine and their body language says otherwise.

The Spectrum of Anxiety

Anxiety comes in many forms that dictate thought, manifest different symptoms, and create triggers. Here’s what we mean when we talk about a “spectrum”:

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Persistent, excessive worry about everyday life situations.
• Panic Disorder: Marked by sudden, intense panic attacks.
• Social Anxiety Disorder: Centers on a fear of judgment, embarrassment, or rejection in social or performance situations.
• Specific Phobias: Intense, irrational fear of a particular object or situation.
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Though often categorized separately, OCD involves intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions).
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Also categorized independently, PTSD can arise after trauma and brings symptoms like hypervigilance, flashbacks, and avoidance.

Anxiety’s complexity is also not comforted by advice such as “relax” or “don’t worry about it.” It must be treated.

Get Help Today

The Montana Center for Somatic Psychotherapy can help treat and manage any anxiety disorder. If you’re ready to have better days, we’re ready to serve you. Contact us today to learn more.