Panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, agoraphobia and social anxiety disorder are just some of the different types of anxiety disorders that affect millions of adult Americans every year. Anxiety disorder and anxiety problems are more common in women than in men, and are identified by extreme feelings of panic, worry, or a preoccupation with negative events that could occur in the person's life.

Anxiety disorder is a serious mental health issue, according to WebMD.com. People suffering from it often show excessive fear, worry, or irrational behavior in response to everyday situations. However, there are different forms of anxiety disorder. Knowing which type of disorder a person is afflicted with can greatly help in treating and coping with the condition.

1. Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). This disorder is associated with obsessive rituals and behaviors that help the person reduce feelings of fear or anxiety when they're performed. The person typically designs their own routine to help reduce a certain type of fear. For example, someone who fears germs and disease may constantly wash their hands. Someone who fears that things will be out of control may constantly arrange and rearrange furniture or objects in the home.

2. Social anxiety disorder. This anxiety disorder is also known as a social phobia, and involves extreme self-consciousness or worry about what other people are thinking about the person. The person suffering from this type of anxiety disorder usually fears being judged, ridiculed or shamed by others, so they avoid social situations altogether.

3. Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). This disorder is the most common anxiety problem among men and women in the United States. GAD is characterized by constant and excessive worry in response to a situation. If not treated, this type of anxiety disorder can ruin a person's quality of life.

4. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This anxiety disorder typically occurs after someone has survived a particularly terrifying or traumatic event. The person may have nightmares or recurrent memories about the event, and can have difficult functioning in everyday life. In some cases, mildly stressful situations can trigger extreme anxiety, fear or anger, because the person is reliving the traumatic experience and reacting to it in the present time.

5. Agoraphobia and other irrational fears. This disorder is characterized by an extreme fear of having a panic attack in public. It is found that persons with panic disorder are likely to have other anxiety-related phobias. Fear of driving is a phobia that falls in this category.

The above stated anxiety disorders are just some of the most common anxiety issues millions of people around the world are dealing with. It is important to identify what type of anxiety disorder a person is experiencing before creating an effective treatment plan for the problem.