ANXIETY DISORDERS
What are anxiety disorders?
There are many types of anxiety disorders including generalized anxiety disorder, social phobia, specific phobia and agoraphobia.
Generalized anxiety disorder is the condition most people think of when someone mentions "anxiety disorder." Symptoms include, excessive worry, difficulty controlling their worry, restlessness, irritability, muscle tension, sleep disturbances, fatigue and difficulty concentrating.
The anxiety must also cause impaired functioning at work and in social situations and it cannot be the result of chemicals introduced to the system. Treatment includes behavioral therapy, psychodynamic therapy and medication. These treatments are generally effective at reducing the symptoms and can result in a return to an almost normal life.
PANIC OR ANXIETY ATTACKS
Anxiety attacks also called panic attacks can have as many causes as there are sufferers. Each individual will have their own trigger event or events. Because there are also many different anxiety disorders, some of which are defined by what causes the anxiety.
Phobias are a form of anxiety disorder. For these individuals, a snake, spider, bridge, social situation may be the sole source of an anxiety attack. For others, the anxiety is general. The attack is all day long, every day. They worry about everything from their marriage to their job to their children everything is a source of anxiety.
The root causes are difficult to pin down. Some theorize that there is a biological cause others suggest trauma in childhood. No matter the theory, there are treatments available.
The information provided here is general in nature and should not substitute for the care and advice of a licensed health care provider.
