Brain Injury and Anxiety

Anxiety is an excessive and persistent feeling of worry and fear about everyday situations. There are five major types of anxiety disorders: Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Panic Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and Social Anxiety Disorder.

Types of Anxiety Disorders	Description	Symptoms
Generalized Anxiety Disorder	Individuals with GAD usually have excessive worry and fear for at least 6 months. They may be anxious about a variety of things, such as work, relationships, and personal health. This can have a big negative impact on their life.	Restlessness Feeling easily fatigued Difficulty concentrating Irritability Muscle tension Difficulty controlling worriness Sleep problems (i.e., difficulty falling asleep or having good quality sleep)
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder	Individuals with OCD have uncontrollable recurring thoughts (obsessions) and/or behaviors that they feel have to repeat consistently (compulsions).	Common Obsession Symptoms Fear of dirt or being contaminated Needing things to be orderly, organized, or symmetrical Difficulty tolerating uncertainty Unwanted thoughts of aggression or sexual or religious subjects Common Compulsion Symptoms Excessive hand washing Repeatedly checking doors to make sure they are locked Following a strict routine Arranging things to look a particular way Silently repeating a word, phrase, or prayer
Panic Disorder	Individuals with a panic disorder usually have recurrent panic attacks that would occur unexpectedly. A panic attack is a sudden intense wave of fear that occurs abruptly or can be triggered by something else, such as an object or situation that you fear.	Heart palpitations Sweating Trembling or shaking Shortness of breath Feelings of being out of control
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder	PTSD usually develops after a person experiences or witnesses a traumatic event, such as war, sexual violence, natural disasters, or a serious accident or injury.	Intrusive memories (i.e., recurrent flashbacks to the traumatic event, upsetting dreams or nightmares about the traumatic event) Avoid thinking, talking, going to places, or doing activities that remind you of the traumatic event Having negative thoughts about yourself, other people, or the world Being easily scared or startled Irritability or aggression Difficulty sleeping or concentrating
Social Anxiety Disorder	Individuals with social anxiety disorder usually feel anxiety or fear in social situations, such as meeting new people, being in a job interview, or dating.	Blushing, sweating or trembling Feeling a rapid heart rate Rigid body posture Making little eye contact with others Speaking with a really soft voice Difficulty being around others or talking to others Feeling self-conscious in front of others Fear of being judged by others Avoiding places with people

It is common for individuals to have anxiety after a traumatic brain injury (TBI). A person with TBI may have difficulty concentrating and solving problems, which may cause him or her to feel overwhelmed and anxious. A person with TBI may also have too many demands, such as returning to work, that may put too much pressure or stress on him or her. In addition, situations that require a lot of attention and information processing, such as crowded and noisy environments, can make a person with TBI anxious.

However, there are general strategies that individuals with TBI can use to cope with anxiety. These are: