Panic and anxiety disorders come in different forms and vary in intensity from person to person. While some have identifiable origins, the causes of most anxiety disorders are elusive at best.
Generalized anxiety disorder is defined as persistent symptoms of uncontrolled worry, nervousness or anxiety that last for six months or more. This anxiety may initially focus on a specific worry such as relationships or finances, or it may present itself as a vague anxiety about almost anything. Accompanying irritability is very common. Physical symptoms often develop, including:
Panic anxiety disorder occurs when panic attacks occur on a frequent basis. The sufferer experiences intense anxiety, fear or unfounded panic during these attacks. Physical symptoms of panic anxiety disorder include:
There are three types of anxiety attacks that are associated with panic anxiety disorder:
Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is one of the few anxiety disorders with a specific trigger or cause. Some of the most common causes of PTSD include:
This anxiety disorder's victims often relive the event that triggered the condition, either through nightmares or flashbacks. They may do whatever is necessary to avoid what reminds them of the traumatic event. Many victims develop emotional numbness as the mind attempts to protect itself from the PTSD.
There are many types of phobias, or fear responses to situations or things. Almost anything can become a phobia, such as:
The fear generated by various types of phobias is typically out of proportion to any actual danger that is posed. Although the person affected by the phobia is generally aware of this, awareness doesn't prevent types of phobias from occurring. For this reason, many sufferers go to great lengths to avoid facing the origin of their phobias.
OCD, or obsessive-compulsive disorder, affects 2 to 3 percent of the American population, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. People with obsessive compulsive disorder have persistent, recurring thoughts caused by fears or anxiety. OCD symptoms usually involve ritualistic behavior designed to protect sufferers. Some common examples of OCD symptoms include excessive hand washing to prevent illness, or checking and rechecking locked doors before retiring to bed.
Social anxiety disorder is a social phobia. People with social anxiety disorder are irrationally concerned about being judged or ridiculed in social situations, and feel extreme embarrassment and anxiety when in public. Some physical symptoms of social anxiety include:
Medication, therapy or a combination of the two may help patients to overcome social anxiety.
Anxiety Disorders Association of America Staff. (n.d.). Brief overview of anxiety disorders. Retrieved June 10, 2002 from the ADAA website: www.adaa.org/AnxietyDisorderInfor/OverviewAnxDis.cfm.
Healthlogy.com Staff. (2002). Anxiety and anxiety disorders. Retrieved June 10, 2002 from the Healthology website: www.healthology.com/focus_article.asp?f=mentalhealth
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