Anxiety disorders are types of mental health conditions in which individuals experience excessive worry, fear, and/or nervousness. Such disorders can impair patients’ daily lives and quality of life.
Anxiety disorders are a large group of mental illnesses that can be characterized by long-lasting and intense feelings of fear, worry or anxiety. Those feelings can become so overwhelming that they may interfere with different aspects of an individual’s life, such as their working relationships, friendships, and daily activities, to name a few. “One common way that people may respond when they feel anxious is through avoiding. So, this easily becomes a vicious cycle of increasingly limited exposure and increased isolation from activities and places,” is a widely recognized concept in psychology. It is also important to understand that these disorders are more than just an issue of stress or temporary worry; they are serious mental health issues that can have a profound effect on quality of life. It’s important to recognize and treat anxiety disorders, as those who do can find that they take control of their lives and feel better in general.
Anxiety disorders are some of the most frequent psychological diagnoses that we faced today. In a report from the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, approximately 40 million American adults—18% of the population—struggle with an anxiety disorder. These numbers reveal that anxiety is not just some personal issue; it’s a public epidemic impacting millions of individuals. Anxiety disorders can have a profoundly negative effect, not only on the quality of life but also on daily functioning, relationships, and emotional/mental well-being.
Surviving with an anxiety disorder can be difficult. You may worry all the time about different parts of your life, panic attacks might be a problem, or you could feel overwhelmed by particular phobias. This chronic anxiety can lead to difficulties in school, at work, and with friends. It typically triggers physical symptoms — such as fatigue, headaches, and muscle tension — which can make it more difficult for people to navigate daily life.
The Four Most Common Types
Getting those four serotonin-induced types of anxiety disorders will help you understand seemingly contradictory emotional features. The first type is Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). GAD is characterized by excessive worry about multiple domains of life, such as health, work and social relationships, that are beyond one’s control. Unlike people with occasional anxiety, individuals with GAD may not even be able to identify the reasons behind their worries, and thus cannot control their anxieties.
Another type of anxiety disorder is Panic Disorder. This disorder is diagnosed as having recurrent panic attacks with a sudden onset of intense fear or discomfort that peaks rapidly. Such attacks can produce physical sensations, such as a racing heart, trembling, and shortness of breath. For like the rest of us, those with panic disorder can become afraid of having more attacks and then start to avoid things that, in turn, limit normal routine activities.
Phobia-related disorders are the third type of anxiety disorder. These include an irrational fear of certain things or places, such as heights or spiders. Most of the typical phobias cause avoidance and thus markedly restrict a person’s lifestyle. Such a fear is usually excessive to the level of danger involved in the cause.
The fourth class is Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD). People with SAD have a fear of being judged or embarrassed and they avoid social situations if at all possible. This may even impair social relationships and contribute to isolation, negatively affecting friendships and family.
The treatment and coping of anxiety disorders generally start with professional help. One of the best ways to treat anxiety disorders is with therapy. Of those, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is most highly valued. CBT allows people to recognize and change negative thought patterns and behaviors that are feeding their anxiety. For example, by mastering specific approaches to coping with anxiety, people may be better able to mitigate their symptoms and thus improve their lives.
Treatment may also include medication. Antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications can even out the chemicals in the brain that influence mood and anxiety. Therapy addresses thoughts and behaviors, and if medication can ease symptoms enough to allow people to participate in treatment, that’s a good thing.
If you or a loved one is suffering from anxiety, you must address the problem by seeking professional help. A lot of people might be too embarrassed or ashamed to seek out help, but to overcome anxiety, a visit to a mental health expert is required. Arbor Wellness is highly well-regarded in the treatment of anxiety disorders. Treatment at the clinic is personalized and staffed with trained mental health professionals committed to helping those who struggle with anxiety. They offer a safe and non-judgmental place for people to discuss their feelings freely.
These disorders do not just affect the person with that disorder. The impact reverberates through families, friends, and even workplaces. Greater awareness and understanding of anxiety disorders are essential in the effort to facilitate supportive environments for those living with the condition. We as a society need to lessen the sense of shame around mental health and make it easier for people to get the help that they need.
Anxiety disorders are intricate disorders with serious secondary consequences. Knowing the four primary types — Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, Phobia-related Disorders and Social Anxiety Disorder — helps us identify their symptoms and effects. Effective treatments are available and people can recover and lead whole, rewarding lives. It is also important to know that professional help is available, and places like Arbor Wellness can provide life-saving treatment. In the years ahead, continued research and heightened awareness are needed to ensure those with anxiety disorders get the empathy and support they deserve.
Sources:
https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/anxiety-disorders/what-are-anxiety-disorders
https://magazine.medlineplus.gov/article/4-types-of-common-anxiety-disorders
https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety
https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/facts-statistics
https://www.nami.org/about-mental-illness/mental-health-by-the-numbers/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Generalized_anxiety_disorder
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cognitive_behavioral_therapy
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_phobias
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/conditions/panic-disorder
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/panic-attacks/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20376027
https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-stop-a-panic-attack
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/phobias-and-phobia-related-disorders
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24757-phobias
https://www.verywellmind.com/the-impact-of-social-isolation-on-mental-health-7185458
https://www.cdc.gov/social-connectedness/risk-factors/index.html
