What are the different types of anxiety?

There are many different types of anxiety including, social anxiety, generalized anxiety, panic disorder, post traumatic stress disorder, and phobias.

Social Anxiety

Social anxiety is a specific type of anxiety that occurs in social situations. People with social anxiety may have trouble talking in class, giving speeches, going to parties, or even meeting someone new. Social situations cause those suffering from social anxiety to feel extremely nervous. Their hands may sweat and their lips may tremble. They may feel dizzy or lightheaded. Sometimes social anxiety may become so severe that a person avoids all social situations. This can lead to isolation and loneliness.
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Generalized Anxiety

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) occurs when a person is consumed with worry about almost every aspect of his/her life. People with GAD worry about themselves, their families, and even the state of the world in general. They worry about almost everything in their lives. Sometimes this worry can affect their ability to do well in school or at work, to sleep at night, and even to complete basic daily tasks.
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Panic Disorder

Panic Disorder is characterized by panic attacks, or an intense fear that seems to occur for no apparent reason. Panic attacks can make a person feel detached from his/her surroundings. They may have physical symptoms such as a racing heartbeat, dizziness, shortness of breath, and a fear that they may actually be dying. People do not die from panic attacks, however, even though it sometimes feels like they might. Often, panic attacks are so scary that the mere thought of having one sends people into a panic. This cycle can continue until the proper treatment is received.
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Phobias

A phobia is a specific fear, for instance a fear of water, snakes, or heights. Phobias are intense fears that are unrealistic or overblown. Often, people avoid the thing they are afraid of. This can lead to a loss of activities in life (i.e. avoiding a party if you know the hostess has a dog or not going to the Caribbean because you are afraid to fly), as well as a reinforcement of the fear itself.
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Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

When something terrifying or tragic happens to a person, he or she can develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). PTSD can be brought about by an accident, a life-threatening situation (like a rape or assault), or a natural disaster (like an earthquake or fire). When something extremely bad happens to or around a person, he or she may have difficulty recovering. PTSD can cause a person to experience flashbacks of the event. It may make concentrating or falling asleep difficult. PTSD can occur immediately following a traumatic experience or it may take months or years to develop.