Anxiety disorders are “chronic conditions characterized by an excessive and persistent sense of apprehension.”http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=9948 They may be accompanied by heart palpitations, sweating, and feeling stressed. They can be caused by both environmental and biological causes.

Anxiety disorders occur in approximately forty million Americans in any given year. Short-term anxiety can occur because of a stressful event and disappear when the event is concluded. This differs from anxiety disorders which consume the life of an individual and do not disappear. In order to be diagnosed as an anxiety disorder, symptoms must last for at least six months.http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/anxiety-disorders/introduction.shtml

There are many anxiety disorders, but the most common ones are obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), panic disorders, phobias, and social phobias. Each disorder has its own symptoms, but fear and uncertainty are common to all of them. These anxiety disorders are often comorbid with depression, alcohol and/or drug abuse, and other anxiety disorders.http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/anxiety-disorders/introduction.shtml

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Individuals with GAD worry so much that it interferes with their daily living. They suffer from symptoms such as upset stomach, fatigue, insomnia, and restlessness.http://helpguide.org/mental/anxiety_types_symptoms_treatment.htm The individual may also be irritable and unable to concentrate. These symptoms must last for a period of more than six months in order to be diagnosed as GAD, and they must not be the result of another anxiety disorder. Women suffer most frequently by about two to one. One-half the cases begin in childhood or adolescence. Stresses in life can increase the symptoms. GAD may be comorbid with other anxiety disorders or mood disorders.http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/mentalhealth/chapter4/sec2.html

Obsessive-compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Individuals with OCD experience obsessions, such as unwanted thoughts and behaviors, and compulsions, such as hand washing or checking, that they are unable to control.http://helpguide.org/mental/anxiety_types_symptoms_treatment.htm It is experienced equally in both men and women. Some individuals with OCD have unwanted thoughts of violence or uncontrolled sexual behavior. They live in fear that they may act upon these thoughts.http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/mentalhealth/chapter4/sec2.html The individual believes performing rituals will prevent something awful from happening. The most common rituals include checking and hand washing, or praying or counting. Some rituals are repeated so many times that the individual does not have time to do anything with their lives other than perform rituals. The rituals are performed to lessen anxiety. The disorder is often comorbid with other anxiety disorders and major depressive disorder. There is a hereditary component to it which is greater than in other anxiety disorders.http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/mentalhealth/chapter4/sec2.html

Panic Disorder

Individuals may experience an occasional panic attack, but panic disorder develops when these panic attacks are repeated and unexpected. They may also be accompanied by agoraphobia, which is a fear of not being able to escape.http://helpguide.org/mental/anxiety_types_symptoms_treatment.htm Some of the symptoms of panic attacks include heart palpitations, shortness of breath, stomach upset, dizziness, trembling, sweating, lightheadedness, and chest pain. They often make the person want to escape. The attacks come on quickly, reach their peak at around 10-15 minutes, and last approximately 30 minutes. They do not always indicate a mental health problem and occur in approximately 10% of mentally healthy people on a yearly basis. They may occur as part of panic disorder, but may also occur from social phobia, GAD or major depressive disorder (MDD). Panic disorder is diagnosed when more than two panic attacks occur which cause the individual to worry about another one happening. Panic disorder may also be comorbid with alcoholism, substance abuse and OCD. It may be hereditary and is experienced more among women than men. It usually occurs between late adolescence and the mid-life of an adult.http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/mentalhealth/chapter4/sec2.html

Phobias

Individuals with phobias have an unrealistic or exaggerated fear of either an activity, situation, or object, that is not actually dangerous, and the individual actually realizes it is not dangerous. They may have a fear of flying, heights, animals, bugs, or some other thing. Not getting treatment can result in the individual avoiding the things they are afraid of which can increase the severity of the disorder and interfere with living their lives.http://helpguide.org/mental/anxiety_types_symptoms_treatment.htm These specific phobias often begin in childhood, although they can occur in the mid-twenties. Without treatment they may last for years. They don’t usually begin from a single trauma, but may be learned through other family members or social learning.http://helpguide.org/mental/anxiety_types_symptoms_treatment.htm

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

PTSD is an anxiety disorder that occurs after a traumatic incident or one that has threatened the individual’s life. The individual may suffer from reoccurring nightmares or flashbacks about the event. Their startle response is high, they may be withdrawn, and avoid situations that bring back the memory of the traumatic event.http://helpguide.org/mental/anxiety_types_symptoms_treatment.htm The disorder may begin as an acute stress disorder, but when it lasts for more than one month, the diagnosis may be changed to PTSD. There are three forms: acute, chronic, and delayed onset. They may also suffer symptoms of loss of self-esteem, feelings of being damaged, and trouble having relationships. Often substance abuse of alcohol, marijuana, or sedative-hypnotic drugs develops. About one-half of the cases of PTSD last less than six months. For the rest of the individuals, it may persist for years or their entire life. Rape victims, crime victims, soldiers, and those who have been tortured have the highest rates of PTSD.http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/mentalhealth/chapter4/sec2.html

Social Anxiety Disorder (Social Phobia)

Social anxiety disorder occurs when individuals are afraid of being humiliated publicly or seen in a negative light by others. They appear to be extremely shy. In extreme cases, the individuals avoid social situations altogether. Stage fright is one of the most common social phobias.http://helpguide.org/mental/anxiety_types_symptoms_treatment.htm They may experience symptoms of trembling, sweating, loss of bowel or bladder control, fear of fainting, or having their mind go blank. It usually begins in childhood or adolescence and may initially begin by a public embarrassment or stressful experience. It will seldom go away without treatment. It is believed to occur in families, and becomes more severe in situations of stress in work or relationships.http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/mentalhealth/chapter4/sec2.html/ref

There are many types of medication available to treat the different types of anxiety disorders. Since each disorder is different and each individual is different, medications that work on one individual may not work on another. Finding the one that works the best often results from trial and error. Medications will not cure anxiety disorders, but can help alleviate symptoms. In combination with therapy, individuals may be able to live relatively happy and normal lives.

Some of the types of medications that are used to treat anxiety disorders are: antidepressants, SSRIs, tricyclics, MAOIs, benzodiazepines, and beta blockers. All these drugs can cause side effects and the individual should be monitored by their physician when taking them. It is important to work closely with the physician to determine the medication and amount that is beneficial to the individual and has the least side effects. The medications must be taken regularly in order for them to be effective. Most of these medications need to be withdrawn slowly because they could cause symptoms to increase if stopped quickly.http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/anxiety-disorders/treatment-of-anxiety-disorders.shtml

The best treatment approach seems to be a combination of medication and psychotherapy. This treatment involves working with a psychiatrist, counselor, psychologist, or social worker. Some of the therapies that may be effective are: cognitive-behavioral therapy and exposure-based behavioral therapy. Which works best for the individual is often determined by the type of anxiety disorder that is being experienced. Sometimes comorbid disorders need to be treated before the anxiety disorder can be treated effectively.http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/anxiety-disorders/treatment-of-anxiety-disorders.shtml

The content in this page is not a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice. Please contact a doctor or mental health professional before using the information presented here.