May 2008
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May 2008
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Over 175 articles on: Click to Help
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Understanding
anxiety disorders
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Have
you read these? Essential information
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| Anxiety
disorders range from feelings of uneasiness to immobilizing bouts of terror.
Most people experience anxiety at some point in their lives and some nervousness
in anticipation of a real situation. However if a person cannot shake unwarranted
worries, or if the feelings are jarring to the point of avoiding everyday
activities, he or she most likely has an anxiety disorder.
Anxiety disorders affect about 40 million American adults age 18 years and older (about 18%) in a given year, causing them to be filled with fearfulness and uncertainty. Unlike the relatively mild, brief anxiety caused by a stressful event (such as speaking in public or a first date), anxiety disorders last at least six months and can get worse if they are not treated. Anxiety disorders commonly occur along with other mental or physical illnesses, including alcohol or substance abuse, which may mask anxiety symptoms or make them worse. In some cases, these other illnesses need to be treated before a person will respond to treatment for the anxiety disorder. There are many types of anxiety disorders including
Generalized
Anxiety Disorder (GAD) |
 When
their anxiety level is mild, people with GAD can function socially and hold
down a job. Although they don't avoid certain situations as a result of
their disorder, people with GAD can have difficulty carrying out the simplest
daily activities if their anxiety is severe.GAD affects about 6.8 million adult Americans and about twice as many women as men. The disorder comes on gradually and can begin across the life cycle, though the risk is highest between childhood and middle age Other anxiety disorders, depression, or substance abuse often accompany GAD, which rarely occurs alone. GAD is commonly treated with medication or cognitive-behavioral therapy, but co-occurring conditions must also be treated using the appropriate therapies. Anxiety is among the most common, most treatable mental disorders. Effective treatments include cognitive behavioral therapy, relaxation techniques, and biofeedback to control muscle tension. Medication, most commonly anti-anxiety drugs, such as benzodiazepine and its derivatives, also may be required in some cases. Some commonly prescribed anti-anxiety medications are diazepam, alprazolam, and lorazepam. The non-benzodiazepine anti-anxiety medication buspirone can be helpful for some individuals. For more information Related articles Sources:
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