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Most people experience feelings of anxiety before an
important event such as a big exam, business presentation
or first date. Anxiety disorders, however, are illnesses
that cause people to feel frightened, distressed and uneasy
for no apparent reason. Left untreated, these disorders
can dramatically reduce productivity and significantly
diminish an individual's quality of life. Fortunately,
through research, there are effective treatments that
can help.
How Common Are Anxiety Disorders?
- Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illnesses
in America: more than 19 million are affected by these
debilitating illnesses each year.
- Anxiety disorders cost the U.S. $46.6 billion in 1990
in direct and indirect costs, nearly one-third of the
nation's total mental health bill of $148 billion.
What Are the Different Kinds of Anxiety Disorders?
Panic Disorder—Repeated episodes of intense fear that
strike often and without warning. Physical symptoms include
chest pain, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness,
abdominal distress, feelings of unreality, and fear of
dying.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder—Repeated, unwanted
thoughts or compulsive behaviors that seem impossible
to stop or control.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder—Persistent symptoms
that occur after experiencing a traumatic event such as
rape or other criminal assault, war, child abuse, natural
disasters or crashes. Nightmares, flashbacks, numbing
of emotions, depression and feeling angry, irritable,
distracted and being easily startled are common.
Phobias—Two major types of phobias are specific
phobia and social phobia. People with specific phobia
experience extreme, disabling, and irrational fear of
something that poses little or no actual danger; the fear
leads to avoidance of objects or situations and can cause
people to limit their lives unnecessarily. People with
social phobia have an overwhelming and disabling
fear of scrutiny, embarrassment, or humiliation in social
situations, which leads to avoidance of many potentially
pleasurable and meaningful activities.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder—Constant, exaggerated
worrisome thoughts and tension about everyday routine
life events and activities, lasting at least six months.
Almost always anticipating the worst even though there
is little reason to expect it; accompanied by physical
symptoms, such as fatigue, trembling, muscle tension,
headache, or nausea.
What Are the Treatments for Anxiety Disorders?
Treatments have been largely developed through research
conducted by NIMH and other research institutions. They
are extremely effective and often combine medication or
specific types of psychotherapy.
More medications are available than ever before to effectively
treat anxiety disorders. These include antidepressants
or benzodiazepines. If one medication is not effective,
others can be tried. New medications are currently being
tested or are under development to treat anxiety symptoms.
The two most effective forms of psychotherapy used to
treat anxiety disorders are behavioral therapy and cognitive-behavioral
therapy. Behavioral therapy tries to change actions through
techniques such as diaphragmatic breathing or through
gradual exposure to what is frightening. In addition to
these techniques, cognitive-behavioral therapy teaches
patients to understand their thinking patterns so they
can react differently to the situations that cause them
anxiety.
Is it Possible for Anxiety Disorders to Coexist
with Other Physical or Mental Disorders?
It is common for an anxiety disorder to accompany another
anxiety disorder, or in some cases depression, eating
disorders or substance abuse. Anxiety disorders can also
coexist with physical disorders. In such instances, these
disorders will also need to be treated. Before undergoing
any treatment, it is important to have a thorough medical
exam to rule out other possible causes.
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