There are many conditions that are related or share some of the common symptoms of depression. These conditions
are known as anxiety disorders. Let’s explore some of those disorders.
Common Types of Anxiety Disorders
- Anxiety / Panic Attacks
An anxiety or panic attack is often due to exaggerated and inflated concerns about relationships or finances.
The worry may be normal for a time but becomes prolonged and starts to manifest itself physically through
heart palpitations, tremors, nausea, and breathing difficulties. This is a panic attack.
Experts estimate that three out of 10 people will have at least one extreme panic attack episode with a
great chance of recurrence.
- Social Anxiety Disorder
A constant fear of criticism from others is a common form of anxiety usually developed at social settings
like business, church, or school functions. Patients experience feelings of distress that lead to isolation
and avoidance of social contact.
- Phobias
People with specific fears of something manifest signs of anxiety when exposed to their particular phobia.
Common forms of phobias include the fear of heights, flying, water and spiders. Research shows over 1000 different phobias
have been documented.
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder
As one of the most prevalent forms of anxiety, GAD is recognized as an excessive worry over common things
such as one’s job or family. Feelings of concern recur very often hampering a person’s ability to function
adequately in their environment.,/li>
- Agoraphobia
Agoraphobia is a serious phobia which upsets normal social function because of the fear of leaving one’s home
and being exposed to public places. When forced to leave the home, the patient may exhibit extreme panic
attacks that affect the person physically with palpitations and breathing difficulties.
- Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome
Triggered by extreme and traumatic events, suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome occurs when
someone who has been through a traumatic life experience suffers future anxiety and panic because of it.
Severe experiences in wartime, for example, may not only bring out anxiety and stress but also induce panic
attacks. Other traumatic events that sufferers base their anxieties on are rape and sexual abuse, emotional
abuse, and natural events such as an earthquake or hurricane.
Most people realize that they have these conditions. What is difficult to understand is why these disorders have
such a hold on their lives. If you are experiencing any of these conditions, arming yourself with information
and consulting with trained professionals is the first step in finding effective treatment that can lead to
a speedier recovery.
Some conditions are so severe that they require more in depth discussion. The next page is
devoted to two serious disorders that appear to be increasing in our society at an alarming rate...
NEXT: Manic Depression and Bipolar Disorder
|
