Do You Know The Signs Of An Anxiety Disorder?

According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), anxiety disorders, as a group, are the most common mental illness in America, affecting more than 19 million Americans each year.

Anxiety disorders can affect anyone. Anxiety often comes when people hold in their fears until they begin to feel anxiety. What are the different kinds of anxiety disorders and their related symptoms?

Generalized Anxiety Disorder – Constant, exaggerated worrisome thoughts and tension about everyday routine life events and activities, lasting at least six months. Almost always anticipating the worst even though there is little reason to expect it; accompanied by physical symptoms, such as fatigue, trembling, muscle tension, headache, or nausea.

Panic Disorder – Repeated episodes of intense fear that strike often and without warning. Physical symptoms include chest pain, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, abdominal distress, feelings of unreality, and fear of dying.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder – Persistent symptoms that occur after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event such as rape or other criminal assault, war, child abuse, natural or human-caused disasters, or crashes. Nightmares, flashbacks, numbing of emotions, depression, and feeling angry, irritable or distracted and being easily startled are common.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder – Repeated, intrusive and unwanted thoughts that cause anxiety, often accompanied by ritualized behavior that relieves this anxiety.

Social Phobia – An overwhelming and disabling fear of scrutiny, embarrassment, or humiliation in social situations, which leads to avoidance of many potentially worthwhile activities.