Most of us experience some anxiety from time to time. But for others, anxiety and panic overshadows every moment of their lives. Here's a simple self-diagnostic checklist to help you determine if you have the signs and symptoms of anxiety attacks or any of the other following social anxiety disorders.

1. Panic Attacks
Panic attacks usually follow extended periods of tension and stress such as a move, divorce, the birth of a child, or a job change. Rather than feeling capable of facing the challenge, you become overwhelmed by persistent thoughts of failure. If you experience two or more of these symptoms of anxiety attacks, you may be having panic attacks.

* Episodes of sudden and intense fear that seem to come out of the blue
* During these episodes you experience heart attack like symptoms (racing heart, chest pain, difficulty breathing, choking sensation, lightheadedness, tingling or numbness, etc.)
* During these episodes you worry about something bad happening to yourself (embarrassing yourself, having a heart attack, dying, etc.)
* You worry about having more panic attacks

2. Generalized Anxiety

For someone with generalized anxiety, small day-to-day concerns like getting somewhere on time or getting enough done during the day, and broader issues such as health and illness, work performance, money or family cause persistent, unrelenting anxiety. If you worry about these issues and experience two or more of these symptoms of anxiety attacks nearly every day, you may have generalized anxiety.

* Worry about a variety of experiences (work, school, health, family, etc.)
* Difficulty controlling these worries
* Feeling restless or on edge
* Easily fatigued
* Difficulty concentrating
* Irritability
* Muscle tension
* Difficulty falling or staying asleep, or restless sleep

3. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Obsessive compulsive disorder involves almost ritualistic repetitive, unproductive behaviors the individual feels compelled to perform. If you are hindered from these behaviors in any way, you can become very agitated and anxious. If you experience two or more of these symptoms of anxiety attacks, you may have obsessive compulsive disorder.

* Recurring thoughts or images besides everyday worries that are intrusive and make you anxious
* Are occasionally aware that these thoughts or images are unreasonable or excessive
* Desire to stop these thoughts or images, but can't seem to control them
* Engage in repetitive behaviors (hand washing, ordering, checking) or mental acts (praying, counting, repeating words silently) to find relief

4. Social Phobia

While most of us experience some nervousness in social situations, for others, the fear and anxiety are so great that they go to extremes to avoid any social situations. If you are excessively fearful that others will criticize your public behavior and exhibit two or more of these symptoms of anxiety attacks, you may have social phobia.

* Afraid of one or more social or performance situations (speaking up; taking a test; eating, writing or working in public; being the center of attention; asking someone for a date)
* Get excessively anxious or worried if you try to participate in any of these situations
* Try to avoid these situations whenever possible

While these are just simple breakdowns of complex social anxiety disorders, being able recognize the symptoms of anxiety attacks can help you seek out the cure for worry and anxiety that's right for you.