There Are Many Kinds Of Anxiety Disorders


Anxiety disorders have been attracting a lot of attention as of late, as American public service campaigns call on friends to stand by their colleagues that are affected by a mental disorder. The commercials that are shown on national television speak of the isolating patterns that often emerge during anxiety disorders, and compel people to look for assistance and provide a level of support to the person suffering.

But, just how widespread are anxiety disorders in the States and what forms can they assume? According to the Anxiety Disorders Association of America, this collective condition plagues a good forty million people in America. With a number of different forms, anxiety disorders can differ from having rather moderate symptoms to very precise phobias.

The various forms of anxiety disorders are:

Generalized Anxiety - Affecting some 6.8 million Americans age 18 or above, this form of the condition is identified by a patient becoming extremely agitated over mundane things. Persons with this condition can find themselves being isolated from life by fears that grow out of either, justified or unreasonable reasons.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder - With some 2.2 million Americans affected by this kind of condition, it is the least common of the disorders. This condition is identified by a compulsion to carry out repetitive acts in an almost ritualistic manner. Hand wrenching is a common pattern of this condition.

Panic Disorder - This kind of condition consist of fear or panic attacks. It strikes some 6 million people and can be a rather debilitating disorder. Since panic attacks mimic heart attacks and other severe conditions, people almost always literally feel they are dying while in the midst of an attack. In some instances, anything that has triggered a panic attack beforehand should be prevented at all costs.

Post traumatic Stress - This particular disorder is believed to affect about 7.7 million people. It is a result of extreme trauma, such as rape, abuse or seeing a brutal act.

Social Anxiety - With 15 million people affected by this type of anxiety, the condition is seen as very severe. Actually, this is the form of anxiety targeted by the public service ads on American television. In its gravest form, people with this condition should avoid public areas at all costs.

Phobias - An illogical fear of heights, spiders, snakes and other such things can cause a person to be afflicted with a severe bout of anxiety. This condition affects an estimated 19 million people and covers a variety of different phobias.

Anxiety disorders are more prevalent than most people appreciate. When the signs are serious and they incapacitate a person from ordinary activities, assistance should be sought. Medical doctors, psychologists and other therapists can help patients to overcome their anxiety disorders in various ways.