There are a few different types of anxiety disorders out there, and millions of people suffer from one or more types. But the reasons behind how they come about can be as varied as the individuals who suffer from them.

The most common type that people suffer from is generalized anxiety disorder. This may sometimes be hard to diagnose because it is often confused with everyday worry and nervousness that people may experience. It can come from a wide variety of social pressures including work, school, divorce, etc. There is a certain line that it crosses when it goes from regular anxious feelings to being a chronic problem. It will often begin to cause physical issues such as fatigue, headaches and sometimes even respiratory problems.

Another major type of anxiety is associated with panic attacks. Usually the main trigger of these is an isolated fear that perpetuates itself into a major physical and emotional reaction.

Many bouts of anxiety can also stem from post-traumatic stress disorder. People who have been in extreme situations such as a war or an earthquake may later go into a form of shock at unexpected moments in order to cope.

And lastly, a more recently diagnosed form of anxiety disorder involves the fear of social situations. People suffering from social anxiety disorder have a heightened level of self-consciousness and feel almost paralyzed when out in public situations.

Some of these disorders may overlap, but the main symptoms involve tensing of the muscles, rapid breathing and a mind that will not stop racing. People with chronic anxiety will be on edge for a good portion of the day, and may become fidgety or jittery. It is very hard for them to calm down, because their bodies are constantly in defense mode, and will struggle with all that is making them feel nervous.

It is important to note that just because someone is feeling anxious, that does not necessarily mean they have an anxiety disorder. The body's natural response to difficult situations is to enter into survival mode and thus physical and emotional responses will be evident. But the longer it takes for the body to return to its original state, as well as the frequency of the episodes can determine a chronic problem.

Several factors contribute to why people develop severe anxiety disorders. Often times, it can be due to heredity. If your parents or grandparents had anxiety disorders, you have a likely chance of inheriting this trait. Advanced pressures can often contribute to this too, and people may sometimes not have the ability to deal with a major life change. A past experience is also a common cause, especially if it occurred while the person was a young child.

But, anxiety disorders are very real and should be treated immediately after diagnosis. Ignoring the problem will likely cause other issues, including insomnia and poor physical health. Start to evaluate your anxiety, and pay attention if your systems ever persist for more than a few days. A life without anxiety is what you should strive for.