Anxiety Disorders: What are They and do I have One?

There are a number of stressful medical conditions affecting Americans but one of the broadest topics is anxiety disorders. Millions suffer from anxiety disorders to some degree or another and the specific disorders vary greatly from person to person. Anxiety orders grow progressively worse without treatment so if you think you may be suffering from one of these illnesses see your doctor immediately.

One of the most common kinds of anxiety disorders is panic disorder. This disorder is one in which the person have unexpected panic attacks repeatedly. These have a range of intensities and can be controlled with medical care and behavioral control. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is also very common. With this anxiety disorder the sufferer had uncontrollable and unwanted urges to perform a certain task such as brushing their hair a certain number of times.

There are also types of anxiety disorders that do not have to do with genetic conditions. The most readily available examples of this are from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) victims. These anxiety disorder patients have persistent frightening thoughts and memories of an event that was extremely stressful such as a car wreck or a military battle.

Phobia also fall under the category of anxiety disorders. People can fear a number of things including small spaces (claustrophobia) spiders (arachnophobia) or any number of other things. Phobias are usually irrational and very intense and proximately to the feared item or being placed in the feared situation will usually cause a panic attack.

Many people suffering from an anxiety disorder are simply diagnosed with GAD or Generalize Anxiety Disorder. GAD is a condition in which the person is experiencing anxiety and worry in levels higher than typical but they are not having panic attacks or experiencing other medical conditions.

Anxiety disorders can affect all people regardless of age economic status