Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety Disorders affect about 40 million American adults age 18 years and older (about 18%) in a given year. Anxiety can cause you to experience feelings of uncertainty and fearfulness. Speaking in public, being in the media spotlight, taking an important test, the first day on the job, or a first date can cause a comparatively mild and shot lived form of anxiety which is part of the experience of "being alive". An anxiety disorder will last at least 6 months and will usually worsen if they are not treated. Anxiety disorders commonly occur along with other mental or physical illnesses. Often people with an anxiety disorder will initially attempt to self medicate with alcohol, over the counter sedating medications, or street drugs. It is little wonder that substance abuse rates among patients with anxiety disorders are markedly higher than that of the general population.  Initially alcohol, over the counter sedation medications, or street drugs such as marijuana will mask anxiety symptoms, but over time loose there effectiveness; in some cases they will make the symptoms worse. Depending on the context and manifestation, anxiety is broken down into five different categories or major types.

There are five major types of anxiety disorders, they are:

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) 

• Panic Disorder (Panic)

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) 

• Social Phobia (or Social Anxiety Disorder)