Anxiety Disorders - A Brief Overview

It has been estimated that roughly 15% of Americans suffer with some type of anxiety disorder in any given year. The range and severity of anxiety disorders vary from person to person. To get a better understanding of the more common types of anxiety disorders, here are a few facts about anxiety disorders and some of the symptoms that may indicate a problem.

Panic disorder is a type of anxiety that may manifest itself early in life or begin in response to some sort of life altering event. Panic attacks are particularly discomforting, as they may occur with no warning whatsoever. Often, a sense of hopelessness and lack of control overcome the individual. Rapid heartbeat and a feeling of being on the verge of losing consciousness are classic signs of a panic attack. While the attack may be over within ten to fifteen minutes, it leaves behind a dread of when the next attack will take place.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is an anxiety that locks people into behavior patterns that are counter productive and often isolate the individual from daily living. As an example, a person finds he or she is unable to leave the home unless every hair is literally in place. The result is hours spent on dressing the hair; no amount assurance from other persons will convince the individual to continue their day until he or she is happy with the way the hair is arranged. Often the obsessive behavior has two components. The first is a numbing fear that their world will end if a specific action is not done properly. The second component is continual repetition of the action until the individual is reasonable assured that the action is complete. While all people have a daily pattern they follow, an individual suffering from obsessive compulsive disorder will find their pattern does not bring order and productivity to the day; rather the behavior limits or completely eliminates normal daily interaction with others.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a condition in which a person begins to deal with the reality of a significantly terrible event in his or her life some time after the experience took place. As an example, a person who was physically beaten or otherwise physically abused may very well recall the event, be able to recount details, but seems to relate to the event as if it occurred to someone else. Then one day, the realization that the event occurred to oneself sets in, and the enormity of the event becomes overwhelming. Often, the individual will experience flashbacks that may be triggered by any number of stimuli. The flashbacks will occur with no prior notice, which makes them all the more debilitating.

Social Anxiety Disorder is the inability to relate to the world socially. One is unable to function as part of a team at work, avoids social events such as parties or attending large gatherings of people. At times, physical discomforts will begin when the person is faced with the prospect of interacting with others. Nausea, cold like symptoms, or dizziness may appear. Social Anxiety Disorder may be the result of many different factors, including a trauma or simply an overload of stress.

When properly diagnosed, anxiety disorders can be treated and eventually eliminated from a person's life. If you believe you suffer from an anxiety disorder, see your physician.