Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety Disorders & FearsWorry and anxiety can be normal life experiences that at some level protect one’s functioning. However, anxiety disorders can be thought of as uncontrollable anxiety or worry states that significantly and negatively affect a person’s life and function. Anxiety can also be a symptom of another psychiatric disorder such as depression, OCD, or substance misuse, or caused by a general medical condition.
Common anxiety disorders in the adult include:
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Panic disorder
- Social anxiety and other phobias
Anxiety disorders vary, but all create overwhelming feelings of distress and discomfort, or a false sense that something threatening is happening or about to occur. People with anxiety disorders often avoid situations, places, or social encounters with any potential to increase their anxiety. In some cases, they even choose to remain housebound because going outside increases their feelings of dread and fear.
No matter their cause, anxiety disorders trigger the brain to produce the physical symptoms of fear. This is especially true of panic disorder, which can cause sweating, trembling, chest pain, heart palpitations, dizziness, and a sense of impending doom.
Whether they are caused by an external trigger or are part of a person’s past life events or biology, anxiety disorders are treatable. With psychotherapy and/or medication, most people with anxiety disorders can overcome or manage their fears and lead full lives.
