Anxiety disorders
From Drug Rehab Wiki
Physicians recognize six kinds of anxiety disorders. These mental illnesses are very common -- up to 40 million Americans have them, and very treatable with medication and psychotherapy. Many people with anxiety disorders also suffer from other problems, such as depression, substance abuse, and eating disorders. There is some evidence that anxiety disorders have a genetic basis.
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Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Generalized Anxiety Disorder is characterized by excessive worry and tension that lasts at least six months. People with it have difficulty concentrating, falling and staying asleep, and they may experience hot flashes, sweating, irritability, twitching, lightheadedness, trembling, headaches, muscle aches, fatigue, and being out of breath. About 6.8 million or 18% of Americans have this disorder, which is treatable with drugs and cognitive behavioral therapy.
Panic Disorder
Panic Disorders include sudden attacks of terror that occur for no reason, and last about ten minutes. Symptoms are heart pounding, sweating, weakness, faintness, dizziness, coldness, numbness, nausea, chest pain. People having a panic attack feel they are dying or having a heart attack. About one-third become housebound. Panic attacks are often accompanied by depression or substance abuse.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Obsessive-compulsive disorder is characterized by obsessive thoughts followed by rituals (compulsions) that the person performs as a way of relieving the anxiety from the thoughts. A person with OCD can have obsessive thoughts about anything at all, but a common one is an obsession about germs and health, and repeating rituals such as hand-washing to relieve this anxiety. Another common one is counting and checking and re-checking some source of anxiety, such as making sure you turned off the stove or have your keys. About 2.2 million have OCD, and it usually appears along with depression and eating disorders.
PTSD
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) develops after a terrifying event, such as being physically attacked or surviving a natural disaster. Symptoms are nightmares, recurring thoughts or flashbacks about the incident, irritability, sleep disturbances, anxiety, and problems in anger management. These can become so debilitating that some people are unable to work or go to school, and their relationships suffer.
Social Anxiety Disorder
Social anxiety disorder affects about 15 million Americans. The chief symptom is being overwhelmingly anxious about everyday social situations, and people with social anxiety experience blushing, sweating, trembling, nausea, and difficulty speaking during those times. Afterwards, they may obsess for hours about how they performed. Social anxiety can be directed at one situation, such as public speaking, or a number of situations. The disorder can interfere with careers, school performance, and friendships.
Phobia
A Specific Phobia occurs around one thing a person fears, such as flying, driving on highways, dogs, snakes, and so forth. About 19.2 million people have at least one phobia. Many people can get through life by merely avoiding what they are afraid of, but sometimes a phobia can interfere with everyday life and needs treatment. For example, fear of elevators can limit a person's job and housing choices.
