Anxiety Disorders

The physical effects of stress can take a toll ON our body. Lack of sleep, competing tasks, and more pressure than ever before in our daily lives can cause aches and pains, but they can also cause very real physical and emotional problems that lead to anxiety. Regardless of the way you handle stress, these physical and emotional problems can be a disruption in your daily life.

Anxiety disorders are a common in families, as well as in stressful situations. When you feel worried, scared, or threatened in situations where you shouldn’t rationally feel anxiety, you may have an anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders are characterized by persistent anxiety that causes you to avoid situations or otherwise change the way you live your life. There are several different anxiety disorders, but they all have persistent anxiety in common.

Generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder are similar in characteristics. Generalized anxiety disorder is when someone feels persistent worry and anxiety for no good reason. They may feel worried all the time, even when they know there is nothing wrong. Panic disorder is when someone feels panicked, when the situation doesn’t call for it, or for no reason at all. Panic attacks can be painful and frightening, so someone with a panic disorder might avoid places where a panic attack might occur that they couldn’t escape from.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, or OCD, and phobias are well known anxiety disorders. People with OCD feel worried and obsessed about everyday tasks or objects. They may be compelled to repeat tasks over and over again, or they may not be able to stop worrying over irrational things. People with phobias are afraid of irrational things. They will feel physical responses in their body when confronted with their fears. People with severe phobias may go far out of their way to avoid the thing that scares them.

Post-traumatic stress disorder and social anxiety disorder revolve around specific situations. Post-traumatic stress disorder occurs after someone has experienced a traumatic situation. They may experience nightmares, flashbacks, or irrational fear of a situation re-occurring. People suffering from social anxiety disorders fear going into public or social situations. They may be afraid of being embarrassed or judged harshly by their peers. Because of this irrational fear, they may avoid some social situations completely.

All anxiety disorders are treatable. Managing stress and learning relaxation techniques may help alleviate many of the symptoms of mild anxiety disorders. For more severe cases, medication and therapy can help control symptoms. Anxiety disorders are not a sign of weakness or lack of control. Taking charge of your situation will allow you lead a normal life