Provided by the National Institute of Mental Health
Most people experience feelings of anxiety before
an important event such as a big exam, business presentation, or first date.
Anxiety disorders, however, are illnesses that fill people's lives with
overwhelming anxiety and fear that are chronic, unremitting, and can grow
progressively worse. Tormented by panic attacks, obsessive thoughts, flashbacks
of traumatic events, nightmares, or countless frightening physical symptoms,
some people with anxiety disorders even become housebound. Fortunately, through
research supported by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), there are
effective treatments that can help.
How Common Are Anxiety Disorders?
Anxiety disorders, as a group, are the most common mental illness in America.
More than 19 million American adults are affected by these debilitating
illnesses each year. Children and adolescents can also develop anxiety
disorders.
What Are the Different Kinds of Anxiety Disorders?
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.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder—Repeated, unwanted thoughts or compulsive
behaviors that seem impossible to stop or control.
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. Family members of victims can
also develop this disorder.
Phobias—Two major types of phobias are social phobia and specific phobia. People
with social phobia have an overwhelming and disabling fear of scrutiny,
embarrassment, or humiliation in social situations, which leads to avoidance of
many potentially pleasurable and meaningful activities. People with specific
phobia experience extreme, disabling, and irrational fear of something that
poses little or no actual danger; the fear leads to avoidance of objects or
situations and can cause people to limit their lives unnecessarily.
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.
What Are Effective Treatments for Anxiety Disorders?
Treatments have been largely developed through research conducted by NIMH and
other research institutions. They help many people with anxiety disorders and
often combine medication and specific types of psychotherapy.
A number of medications that were originally approved for treating depression
have been found to be effective for anxiety disorders as well. Some of the
newest of these antidepressants are called selective serotonin reuptake
inhibitors (SSRIs). Other antianxiety medications include groups of drugs called
benzodiazepines and beta-blockers. If one medication is not effective, others
can be tried. New medications are currently under development to treat anxiety
symptoms.
Two clinically-proven effective forms of psychotherapy used to treat anxiety
disorders are behavioral therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Behavioral
therapy focuses on changing specific actions and uses several techniques to stop
unwanted behaviors. In addition to the behavioral therapy techniques,
cognitive-behavioral therapy teaches patients to understand and change their
thinking patterns so they can react differently to the situations that cause
them anxiety.
Do Anxiety Disorders Co-Exist with Other Physical or Mental Disorders?
It is common for an anxiety disorder to accompany depression, eating disorders,
substance abuse, or another anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders can also
co-exist with illnesses such as cancer or heart disease. In such instances, the
accompanying disorders will also need to be treated. Before beginning any
treatment, however, it is important to have a thorough medical examination to
rule out other possible causes of symptoms.
For more information
Please visit the following link for more information about organizations that
focus on anxiety disorders.
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Anxiety Disorders
One-Year Prevalence (Adults)
Percent Population Estimate*
(Millions)
Any Anxiety Disorder 13.3 19.1
Panic Disorder 1.7 2.4
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder 2.3 3.3
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder 3.6 5.2
Any Phobia 8.0 11.5
Generalized Anxiety Disorder 2.8 4.0
* Based on 7/1/98 U.S. Census resident population estimate of 143.3 million, age
18-54
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QUIZ
How Much Do You Know About Anxiety Disorders?
Fear and anxiety are a necessary part of life. Whether it's a feeling of anxiety
before taking a test or a feeling of fear as you walk down a dark street, normal
anxiety can be protective and stimulating. Unfortunately, more than 19 million
Americans with anxiety disorders face much more than just "normal" anxiety.
Instead, their lives are filled with overwhelming anxiety and fear that can be
intense and crippling. Although anxiety disorders can be disabling, research
supported and conducted by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has
provided insight into their causes and has resulted in many effective
treatments.
Which of the following are disorders of the brain?
Stroke, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis
Anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, depression, alcohol addiction
Autism, anorexia, learning disabilities, dyslexia, migraines
Alzheimer's disease, Tourette syndrome, Parkinson's disease, brain tumor
All of the above
True or False?
Post-traumatic stress disorder, once referred to as shell shock or battle
fatigue, is a condition that only affects war veterans.
True or False?
Someone who feels compelled to spend a great deal of time doing things over and
over again such as washing their hands, checking things, or counting things has
an anxiety disorder.
What is the most common mental health problem in the United States?
Depression
Schizophrenia
Anxiety disorders
Which of the following diseases/disorders are real medical illnesses?
Anxiety disorders
Diabetes
High blood pressure
All of the above
Which of the following are symptoms of an anxiety disorder known as panic
disorder?
Chest pains
Dizziness
Nausea or stomach problems
Fear of dying
All of the above
True or False?
Anxiety disorders often occur with other illnesses.
True or False?
Most people successfully take control of the symptoms of anxiety disorders by
sheer willpower and personal strength.
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ANSWERS TO QUIZ
Which of the following are disorders of the brain?
Answer: e. All of the above.
Brain research demonstrates that disorders as different as stroke, anxiety
disorders, alcohol addiction, anorexia, learning disabilities, and Alzheimer's
disease all have their roots in the brain. Every American will be affected at
some point in his or her life, either personally or by a family member's
struggle, with a brain disorder.
Post-traumatic stress disorder, once referred to as shell shock or battle
fatigue, is a condition that only affects war veterans.
Answer: False.
Individuals who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event or ordeal, such
as a terrorist attack, a tornado, a rape or mugging, or a car accident, can be
at risk for developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Many people with
this anxiety disorder repeatedly relive the trauma in the form of nightmares and
disturbing recollections during the day. They may also experience sleep
problems, depression, feeling detached or numb, or being easily startled.
Someone who feels compelled to spend a great deal of time doing things over and
over again such as washing their hands, checking things, or counting things has
an anxiety disorder.
Answer: True.
A person plagued by the urgent need to engage in certain rituals, or tormented
by unwelcome thoughts or images, may be suffering from an anxiety disorder
called obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Most healthy people can identify
with having some of the symptoms of OCD, such as checking the stove several
times before leaving the house. But the disorder is diagnosed only when such
activities consume at least an hour a day, are very distressing, and interfere
with daily life. OCD affects men and women equally. It can appear in childhood,
adolescence, or adulthood, but on the average, it first shows up in the teens or
early adulthood.
What is the most common mental health problem in the United States?
Answer: c. Anxiety Disorders.
Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health problem in America. More
than 19 million Americans suffer from anxiety disorders, which include panic
disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder,
phobias, and generalized anxiety disorder.
Which of the following diseases/disorders are real medical illnesses?
Answer: d. All of the above.
Anxiety disorders, diabetes, and high blood pressure are all real medical
illnesses. Brain scientists have shown that anxiety disorders are often related
to the biological makeup and life experiences of the individual, and they
frequently run in families. Unfortunately, misconceptions about mental illnesses
like anxiety disorders still exist. Because many people believe mental illness
is a sign of personal weakness, the condition is often trivialized and is left
untreated. The good news is that effective treatments are available for anxiety
disorders.
Which of the following are symptoms of an anxiety disorder known as panic
disorder?
Answer: e. All of the above.
Panic disorder is characterized by unexpected and repeated episodes of intense
fear accompanied by physical symptoms that may include chest pain, heart
palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, or abdominal distress. These
sensations often mimic symptoms of a heart attack or other life-threatening
medical conditions. Left untreated, people with panic disorder can develop so
many phobias about places or situations where panic attacks have occurred that
they become housebound.
Anxiety disorders often occur with other illnesses.
Answer: True.
It is common for an anxiety disorder to accompany depression, eating disorders,
substance abuse, or another anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders can also
co-exist with illnesses such as heart disease, high blood pressure, irritable
bowel syndrome, thyroid conditions, and migraine headaches. In such instances,
the accompanying disorders will also need to be treated. So, it is important,
before beginning any treatment, to have a thorough medical examination to
determine the causes of symptoms.
Most people successfully take control of the symptoms of anxiety disorders by
sheer willpower and personal strength.
False.
Many people misunderstand anxiety disorders and other mental illnesses and think
individuals should be able to overcome the symptoms by sheer willpower. Wishing
the symptoms away does not work—but there are treatments that can help.
Treatment for anxiety disorders often involves medication, specific forms of
psychotherapy, or a combination of the two.
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