I found a very good article here about anxiety and in it was a great little chart (see below).
I don’t think this encapsulates 100% of anxiety issues but boy it captured a lot. I think many of us teeter between the columns. I certainly have had moments of avoiding social situations for fear of being judged. I think its important for all of us who deal with anxiety to be as honest with ourselves as we can.
That said I am not a big fan of labels but they are important if you are engaging in the battle of health care. Sadly, many care providers in the west cant or wont treat you unless you have a “diagnosis” from a doctor that you have actual anxiety disorder.
If you are fighting that battle, print this little chart out. Make sure you tell your Dr that it comes from the Anxiety and depression association of america. Advocate for yourself, you can do it. I don’t have much to add here other than to say look at the chart, if you think you fall into the anxiety disorder column that doesn’t make you deficient or a bad person. You have an illness, millions of us do, attack it, fight back! You are doing awesome, one day at a time.