Anxiety disorders often go hand in hand with depression and other mental illnesses. People who have anxiety disorders struggle with intense and uncontrollable feelings of anxiety, fear, worry, and/or panic. These feelings can interfere with daily activities and may last for a long time. Would you know the telling signs if it were to happen to you or someone you loved?
The signs could easily be taken lightly and go undiagnosed. Mental illnesses are conditions that affect a person’s thinking, feeling, mood or behavior, such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia. Such conditions may be occasional or long-lasting (chronic) and affect someone’s ability to relate to others and function each day.
Types: Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Panic Disorder, Phobias, Social Anxiety Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Symptoms: Excessive worry, panic attacks, avoidance, intrusive thoughts, compulsions.
Typical Age of Onset:
Children/Teens (6–18): Phobias, separation anxiety, social anxiety often appear.
Young Adults (18–35): Panic disorder, GAD, PTSD may first emerge.
Any Age: Trauma can trigger PTSD later in life.
RELATED: 9 Symptoms to Tell if Someone May be Bipolar
Types: Major Depressive Disorder, Bipolar Disorder (Type I & II), Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia), Seasonal Affective Disorder.
Symptoms: Persistent sadness, hopelessness, energy changes, mania/hypomania (in bipolar).
Typical Age of Onset:
Late Teens–20s: Major depression and bipolar disorder often emerge.
30s–40s: Some cases of recurrent depression develop.
Elderly (60+): Depression linked to loss, medical conditions, or neurodegenerative disease.
RELATED: Schizophrenia is Becoming a Black Disease, Here’s Why…
Types: Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective Disorder, Delusional Disorder.
Symptoms: Hallucinations, delusions, disorganized speech/behavior, impaired reality testing.
Typical Age of Onset:
Late Teens–Early 20s (Males)
Late 20s–Early 30s (Females)
Rare after age 40.
Types: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Learning Disorders, Intellectual Disability, Communication Disorders.
Symptoms: Developmental delays, difficulties with attention, social communication challenges, and learning struggles.
Typical Age of Onset:
Childhood (before 12): ADHD usually shows up.
Early Childhood (before age 3): ASD signs appear.
School Age (6–12): Learning disorders are often diagnosed.
Types: Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Binge Eating Disorder.
Symptoms: Extreme concern with weight/shape, food restriction, binging/purging, unhealthy eating patterns.
Typical Age of Onset:
Adolescents–Young Adults (12–25): Peak onset for anorexia and bulimia.
Adults (20–40): Binge eating disorder often emerges later.
Types: Borderline Personality Disorder, Narcissistic Personality Disorder, Antisocial Personality Disorder, Avoidant Personality Disorder, Paranoid Personality Disorder, etc.
Symptoms: Rigid, unhealthy patterns of thinking/behaving that cause distress or conflict.
Typical Age of Onset:
Late Teens–Early 20s: Most diagnosed after personality traits become stable.
Symptoms must be persistent over time (not just mood shifts).
Types: Alcohol Use Disorder, Drug Use Disorders, Gambling Disorder.
Symptoms: Cravings, tolerance, withdrawal, continued use despite harm.
Typical Age of Onset:
Teens–20s: Most substance use disorders begin.
Can persist or reappear at any age.
Types: Alzheimer’s Disease, Dementia, Vascular Dementia, Lewy Body Dementia.
Symptoms: Memory loss, confusion, impaired judgment, personality changes.
Typical Age of Onset:
60+: Alzheimer’s and other dementias commonly appear.
40s–50s (rare): Early-onset Alzheimer’s can occur.
Here are the early signs of anxiety to look out for:
Dramatic sleep changes in duration and frequency of sleep occur.
A person may experience appetite changes or a decline in personal care.
You may notice rapid or dramatic shifts in emotions or depressed feelings.
One could see recent social withdrawal and loss of interest in activities previously enjoyed.
An unusual drop in functioning, at school, work, or social activities, may happen. Examples of this include quitting sports, failing in school, or difficulty performing familiar tasks.
This includes changes that are difficult to explain. It may be hard to concentrate. Memory, logical thought, and speech may fade.
READ: Don’t Ignore The Signs: “If You Have A Heart, You Can Have An Attack.”
This is described as a heightened sensitivity to sights, sounds, smells or touch; avoidance of over-stimulating situations.
Loss of initiative or desire to participate in any activity is often observed.
A person experiencing anxiety or mental illness may experience vague feelings of being disconnected from oneself or one’s surroundings, a sense of unreality.
A person could experience unusual or exaggerated beliefs about personal powers to understand meanings or influence events; illogical or “magical” thinking typical of childhood in an adult.
Fear or suspiciousness of others or a strong nervous feeling is not uncommon.
A person could exhibit odd, uncharacteristic, peculiar behavior.
If you feel you or someone you know is suffering from mental illness, contact a healthcare professional for guidance today.
Tia Muhammad, BS, is an award-winning freelance content & media creative, copywriter, blogger, digital designer, and marketing consultant. She owns the boutique content and digital media company, jackieGLDN|studio.
By subscribing, you consent to receive emails from BlackDoctor.com. You may unsubscribe at any time. Privacy Policy & Terms of Service.
