What Are Anxiety Disorders?
Everyone feels anxious from time to time, but some people feel so worried or fearful that their feelings negatively affect their school, work, relationships or home life.
Types of anxiety disorders
Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental illnesses in the U.S.. It is estimated that 1 in 5 adults will be affected by an anxiety disorder in a given year.
There are several different types of anxiety disorders, including:
Generalized anxiety disorder (feeling excessive worry about many different things or situations for several months or more)
Social anxiety disorder (fear of social situations)
Panic disorder (having recurring panic attacks)
Agoraphobia (fear of being in public, in the open or of being in situations one might not be able to escape)
Separation anxiety (fear of being separated from caregiver)
Specific phobia (fear of a specific situation or thing, like having a fear of airplanes or fear of spiders)
Anxiety disorders can cause a great deal of distress, including emotional problems, sleep issues, and other physical symptoms.
Causes of anxiety
A number of factors can increase one’s risk of having an anxiety disorder:
Anxiety commonly runs in families; if a close family member has anxiety, then you may be more likely to also have anxiety
Stressful events can increase the likelihood of developing anxiety
Having a shy temperament is associated with anxiety
Females are 60 percent more likely to develop anxiety disorders than males.
Anxiety disorders can be debilitating and make life very challenging; anxiety disorders are the number one cause of emergency room visits each year.
Get help for anxiety disorders
If you feel worried, anxious or panicked frequently, and it’s affecting your life in a serious way, please know that help is available. Effective treatment exists for anxiety disorders.
Anxiety disorder treatment may include a number of different interventions, such as:
These treatment methods can reduce distress and help you learn how to effectively manage your anxiety symptoms.
If you or someone you love suffers from anxiety, we invite you to call us at (877) 711-1878 to speak with a Master’s-level clinician. We offer free, confidential consultations for anxiety disorders and other mental health concerns.