Anxiety Disorders

There are several different kinds of anxiety disorders, but people who suffer from any of them all experience irrational, excessive fear and dread. Anxiety disorders affect around 19 million American adults. While everyone experiences short, mild bouts of stress, people with anxiety disorders experience chronic stress and fear that do not go away and that can get worse if not treated.

1. Panic Disorder

People with panic disorder experience sudden, severe feelings of terror that occur with no warning. These attacks occur repeatedly, and many people suffer severe anxiety even between panic attacks – worrying about when the next attack will strike. Attacks can occur at any time, and people often experience chest pain, nausea, a pounding heart and out-of-control feelings. Some people believe they are having a heart attack or losing their minds. Panic disorder affects about 2.4 million Americans.

2. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

People with OCD experience anxious thoughts and have a need to perform rituals over which they have no control. Obsessions are the disturbing thoughts or images people experience. Compulsions are the rituals people go through to try and prevent or eliminate these obsessions. While many people have rituals, to be classified as OCD people must perform them for at least an hour a day, and they must interfere with everyday life. OCD affects about 3.3 million American adults.

3. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

This anxiety disorder develops after a terrifying event. People suffer from recurring thoughts and memories of the events, and often feel emotionally numb. Sufferers relive their trauma in nightmares or daydreams. Things that remind people of the event can be very disturbing. Types of events that can trigger PTSD include war experiences, rape, mugging and child abuse. About 5.2 million American adults have PTSD.

4. Social Anxiety Disorder

People with social anxiety disorder experience extreme anxiety in normal social situations and feel excessively self-conscious. The fear of being judged and watched by other people can interfere with their daily lives. Symptoms of social anxiety disorder include blushing, sweating, nausea and trembling in social situations. About 5.3 million Americans have social anxiety disorder.

5. Phobias

People with phobias experience irrational, intense fear of something that is really of little or no threat. Common phobias include fear of closed places, heights, driving on highways and flying. While people realize these fears are irrational, confronting them can cause extreme anxiety and panic attacks. About 6.3 million Americans suffer from specific phobias.

6. Generalized Anxiety Disorder

People with generalized anxiety disorder experience chronic anxiety and spend their days feeling as if disaster is imminent. People with GAD worry excessively about things such as their health, work or family. They can also have physical symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, trembling, irritability and muscle tension. Severe GAD can make living a normal life difficult. About 4 million American adults have GAD.

Treating Anxiety Disorders

1. Medication

• Psychiatrists or other doctors can prescribe medications for anxiety disorders after they have discussed the situation with psychologists or counselors who have provided psychotherapy for the patient.
• Medication will not cure anxiety disorders, but can limit symptoms, allowing patients to live a normal life.
• Antidepressants have been found to be affective in treating anxiety disorders.
• For social phobia, beta-blockers normally used to treat heart disease can be effective in preventing physical symptoms such as a pounding heart.
  

2. Psychotherapy

• In psychotherapy, the patient talks with a trained mental health professional such as a psychologist, social worker or counselor. They work together to learn how to deal with the anxiety disorder.
• For panic disorder and social phobia, cognitive-behavior therapy has proven effective. People change their thinking patterns that keep them from overcoming their fears, and then change their reactions to situations that normally induce anxiety. This involves exposing them to situations that normally produce anxiety and showing them there is nothing to fear.
  

3. General ways to prevent anxiety

• Joining a self-help group where people can share problems benefits many people with anxiety disorders.
• Having a supportive family also helps.
• Aerobic exercise may help reduce stress.
• Meditation techniques may help patients calm themselves in stressful situations.