Anxiety Disorders

The Most Important Facts:

• Anxiety disorders can be debilitating.
• Anxiety disorders are the most common of the mental illnesses.
• Anxiety disorders are readily treated.
• Anxiety disorders can occur along with depression, eating disorders and substance abuse.
• Anxiety disorders often make one feel "out of control".
• Anxiety disorders include panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, phobias and general anxiety disorder.
• Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illnesses in the USA. More than 19 million people are affected by these illnesses each year.
• Delayed treatment may result in worsening of symptoms.

What are Anxiety Disorder?

• Anxiety disorders are illnesses that cause people to feel frightened, distressed and uneasy for no apparent reason.
• Anxiety disorders may cause or exacerbate uncontrollable obsessive thoughts, painful intrusive memories, recurring nightmares, excessive and chronic worry and feelings of helplessness and hopelessness.
• Anxiety disorders can cause physical symptoms such as nausea, sweating, muscle tension, pounding heart, shortness of breath and other uncomfortable physical symptoms.

Anxiety Disorders are not!

• Anxiety disorders are not signs of weak or flawed character.
• Anxiety disorders are not something of which to be ashamed.
• People suffering from anxiety disorders can not just "snap out" of them.
• Anxiety disorders are not signs of "losing one’s mind" or "going crazy".

Causes of Anxiety Disorders?

Anxiety disorders are caused by an array of factors such as:

• Genetics- anxiety disorders run in families.
• Brain chemistry
• Personality
• Low self-esteem
• Life experiences
• Repressed anger

What is the Treatment for Anxiety Disorders?

Both medication and psychotherapy are effective in relieving the symptoms of the various anxiety disorders.

Types of Anxiety Disorders

1. Panic Disorder

Panic disorders are characterized by the presence of panic (anxiety) attacks that include the overwhelming fear of being in danger. During a panic attack an individual might feel:

• Pounding heart and/or chest pain.
• Sweating, trembling or shaking.
• Shortness of breath.
• Dizziness or lightheadedness.
• Feeling unreal.
• Fear of losing control.
• Fear of dying.
• Fear of "going crazy".
• Numbness.
• Chills or hot flashes.
2. Obessive-Compulsive Disorder

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterized by the presence of irrational disturbing thoughts that cause anxiety (obsessions). People suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder tend to engage in repetitive rituals (compulsions) to reduce their anxiety. Without treatment the obsessions become more frequent and disturbing and the compulsions more frequent and time consuming thus excessively disruptive of daily routines, family life and social relationships.

Obsessions might include:

• Preoccupation with dirt and germs.
• Nagging doubts.
• A need to have things in a very particular order.

Compulsions might include:

• Repeated hand washing.
• Constant checking and rechecking.
• Rigid rules of order.
3. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) occurs in individuals who have survived a terrifying physical or emotional event. PTSD is characterized by the recurrent experiencing of the terrifying event. PTSD can be natural disasters, tragedies, physical and or sexual abuse in childhood witnessing another person’s serious injury.

Symptoms include:

• Recurrent nightmares.
• Flashbacks.
• Intrusive thoughts and or memories.
• Extreme emotional, mental and physical distress when exposed to situations that remind the person of the event.
• Feeling numb or detached.
• Trouble sleeping.
• Feeling jittery.
• Depression.
4. Phobias

Phobic disorder is characterized by an uncontrollable, irrational and persistent fear of a specific object, situation, or activity. The fear experienced in phobia is so great that people suffering from phobias tend to alter their life style in order to avoid the fear. There are three types of phobias.

• Specific Phobia

This phobia is characterized by an excessive and overwhelming fear of an object or a situation that is not usually harmful.

• Social Phobia

This phobia is characterized by a significant anxiety and discomfort related to fear of being embarrassed in social situation.

• Agoraphobia

This phobia is the fear of experiencing a panic attack in situations from which escape may be difficult or embarrassing.

5. General Anxiety Disorder

   General anxiety disorder (GAD) is characterized by the presence of an ongoing, exaggerated tension that interferes with daily functioning.

   Symptoms include:

   • Constant and often unwarranted worry.
   • Inability to relax.
   • Irritability.
   • Difficulties concentrating.
   • May cause insomnia, muscle trembling, fatigue and headaches.
   • Can occur with depression, substance abuse or another anxiety disorder.

What to do if you Suffer From one of the Anxiety Disorders

If you think you need help, here are some options:

• Talk to your Primary Care Doctor.
• Call the HIP Mental Health Center near you.
• Call the HIP Mental Health Hot Line 1-888-447-2526.
• Do not attempt to "get through it" yourself. Anxiety disorders symptoms are likely to get worse if untreated.
• Exercise on a regular basis. Exercise releases endorphins that are natural morphine-like chemicals that make one feel calm and contented.
• Educate yourself about your illness.
• Participate in a support group in your area.
• Reduce your caffeine intake. Caffeine is an "upper" type of drug and it is likely to increase ones anxiety
• Reduce your intake of alcohol and tobacco
• Learn how to practice meditation or some form of deep relaxation
• Watch your diet. Decrease your intake of sugar and processed grains (white bread, pizza, cakes, etc) and increase your intake of protein (soy, lean meat, fish) and carbohydrates (vegetables)
• Treatment (medication, psychotherapy or both) takes time. Be patient with yourself and be consistent with your treatment. It is important that you will take your medications as prescribed, come for follow up visits and follow treatment requirements.

Support Groups and Online Support

Support groups can be tremendously helpful to people with anxiety disorders. These groups can help in many ways. First, they convey the massage that in spite of the feelings evoked by the illness one is not alone. They give one the unique opportunity to meet and interact with others with the same illness and learn about different ways of coping with it. Support groups also provide important information about the illness.

• Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA) - ADAA is a national organization that promotes welfare of people with anxiety disorders.
• Contact ADAA:

Mail: ADAA
11900 Parklawn Dr.
Rockville, MD 20852
Telephone: 301 231-9350
Fax: 301 231-7392
E-mail: AnxDis@aol.com
• Agoraphobics Building Independent Lives, Inc (ABIL) - ABIL is a national organization that provides mutual support, encouragement, hope, goal setting, and education for people with Anxiety Disorders.
• Contact ABIL:

Mail: ABIL
3805 Cutshaw Ave, Suite 415,
Richmond, VA 23230
Telephone: 804 353-3964
Fax: 804 353-3687
E-mail:abil1996@aol.com

Suggested Reading

• Journey From Anxiety to Freedom: Moving Beyond Panic and Phobias and Learning to Trust Yourself, by Mani Fenger.(1999), Prima Publishing:
  ISBN: 0761508600.
• The Sky is Falling: Understanding and Coping with Phobias, Panic and Obsessive-Compulsive disorders, by Raeann Dumont and Aron T. Beck. (1997). New York: W.W. Norton & Company.
  ISBN: 0393316033.

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