Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety is a group of disorders ( Anxiety Disorders Types ) characterized by a number of both mental and physical symptoms, with no apparent explanation. Apprehension, fear of losing control, fear of going "crazy", fear of pending death or impending danger, and general uneasiness are among the most common mental symptoms. Common physical symptoms include dizziness, lightheadedness, chest / abdominal pain, nausea, increased heart rate, and diarrhea. Because there are so many physical symptoms, anxiety disorders may not be recognized and the symptoms only treated as physical disorders. Doctors and researchers believe that with both psychotherapy and medication over 80% of persons with anxiety disorders can be helped. Anxiety can also be one of the common symptoms of psychiatric disorders.

Anxiety disorders appear to have become more common in recent years, though this may be due to better diagnostics. And although women are treated for these disorders more often, psychologists believe that this is simply because men are less likely to seek treatment.

An anxiety disorder should not be confused with everyday stress and worry which, due to circumstances, can affect everyone at one time or another. Anxiety disorders, however, are persistent conditions, and should be diagnosed carefully by a licensed mental health professional after a full evaluation. While self care-options can benefit ordinary stress or anxiety, prescription treatments should only be used in clear cases of chronic and ongoing anxiety.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 19 million adults in the US suffer from one form of anxiety or another. Sleep disorders or early awakening, depression, tension, muscle aches, and fatigue can all accompany chronic anxiety.

Anxiety disorders, like many other conditions, are an example of normal responses that appear at inappropriate times. Our fight-or-flight response, characterized most strongly by increased adrenaline or norepinephrine production, allows us to react promptly to dangerous situations. When lives are in danger we react quickly and get to safety or defend ourselves. But when we experience these reactions frequently during daily life, they can be very disruptive.

Chemical imbalances, allergies, nutritional deficiencies and other health problems, environmental influences, and stressful life events may worsen or trigger some of these conditions. Anxiety disorders may co-exist, or occur alongside other conditions, like depression, bipolar disorder, ADD / ADHD, an eating disorder, or a major life-threatening illness. If an anxiety disorder is severe enough to require prescription treatment, other conditions should be ruled out or treatment geared to avoid interfering with pre-existing health issues.

Anxiety Disorders Types

-Acute Stress Disorder

-Agoraphobia

-Agoraphobia Without History of Panic Disorder

-Anxiety Disorder Due to a General Medical Condition

-Anxiety Disorder Not Otherwise Specified ( Anxiety Disorder NOS )

-Generalized Anxiety Disorder ( GAD )

-Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder ( OCD )

-Panic Attack

-Panic Disorder With Agoraphobia

-Panic Disorder without Agoraphobia

-Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

-Social Phobia

-Specific Phobia

-Substance-Induced Anxiety Disorder.