Anxiety

Anxiety can show up in several distinct (and often overlapping) ways. 

Here are some of the most commonly recognized types and presentations 

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
 Persistent, excessive worry about many areas of life (work, health, relationships, finances), often accompanied by muscle tension, restlessness, fatigue, and sleep difficulty.

Panic Disorder
 Recurrent panic attacks—sudden surges of intense fear with physical symptoms (racing heart, shortness of breath, dizziness, chest tightness) and fear of having more attacks.

Social Anxiety Disorder
 Intense fear of being judged, rejected, or embarrassed in social or performance situations.

Separation Anxiety (Adults & Children)
 Distress about being away from attachment figures or fear of losing them.

Health Anxiety (Illness Anxiety Disorder)
 Preoccupation with having or developing a serious medical condition despite reassurance.

Post-Traumatic Stress–Related Anxiety
 Hypervigilance, startle response, nightmares, intrusive memories, and avoidance following trauma.

Performance Anxiety 
Fear related to public speaking, exams, sports, or work performance.

Existential Anxiety
 Distress related to meaning, purpose, mortality, freedom, or identity.

Attachment-Based Anxiety 
Fear of abandonment, rejection, or closeness, often rooted in early relational experiences.

Somatic / Body-Based Anxiety
 Anxiety primarily experienced as physical sensations (tight chest, gut discomfort, shallow breathing) rather than thoughts.

High-Functioning Anxiety (not a formal diagnosis)
 Outwardly successful but internally driven by constant worry, perfectionism, and self-criticism.

Enhancing future coping (Future Template) Clients rehearse responding adaptively to future situations (e.g., setting boundaries, attending a triggering event, handling conflict) using bilateral stimulation.