Recognize the warning signs of an anxiety disorder

• Panic Disorder. Here, the person experiences waves of panic, marked by such things as feelings of dizziness, heart pounding, sweating and trembling. Often the cause of the panic is not clear to the person, which contributes to his or her fear. Panic Disorder is a common condition and one that can be effectively treated. 
• Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Here, the person can't stop worrying. He or she worries about catastrophic outcomes (failing exams, flunking out of school, not getting a job) without reason. Days and nights are marked by rumination about feared negative events, most of which never occur.
• Social Phobia. For some students, social anxiety interferes with their ability to give seminar presentations, complete oral exams, defend their thesis / dissertation, or even talk with their faculty members.
• Post-traumatic Stress Disorder. Frightening events as assault, rape, and bad car accidents happen to graduate students as often as to other people. For some people, those events result in ongoing distressing memories, nightmares, and the desire to avoid situations and activities associated with the event.