Anxiety is the anticipation of a future concern and is more associated with muscle tension and avoidance behavior. Almost every person who has ever lived has experienced some sort of anxiety. Some anxiety is normal is times of high stress and tension. It's normal to worry about things that are important to you.
It is estimated, however, that 18.1 percent of adults in the United States are affected by anxiety disorders. That means anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S.
Types of anxiety disorders include general anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, phobic disorders, social anxiety disorder, separation anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
General Anxiety Disorder (GAD) involves persistent and excessive worry that interferes with daily activities. It may be accompanied by restlessness, feeling on edge or easily fatigued, difficulty concentrating, muscle tension, or problems sleeping.
Panic disorder is recurrent panic attacks, an overwhelming combination of physical and psychological distress. Symptoms occurring in combination include palpitations and rapid heartbeat, sweating, trembling and shaking, shortness of breath or smothering sensations, chest pain, dizziness, choking feeling, numbness or tingling, chills or hot flashes, abdominal pain or nausea, feel of losing control and/or dying. Symptoms may cause people to think they're experiencing a heart attack.
Phobic disorders include agoraphobia, social anxiety disorder, separation anxiety, and more. A phobia is an extreme and persistent fear of a specific object, situation, or activity that is generally not harmful. It is more than just being a little afraid of a spider. They generally know their fear is irrational, but cannot stop it.
Agoraphobia is the fear of being in situations where escape may be difficult or embarrassing. The fear is out of proportion, and may typically occur in situations such as using public transportation, being in open spaces, being in enclosed spaces, standing in line or being in a crowd, being outside the home. Agoraphobia significantly interferes with normal daily activities.
Social anxiety disorder causes significant anxiety and discomfort about being embarrassed, humiliated, rejected, or looked down on. This is more than just a little bit of nerves talking to someone new. Social anxiety interferes with daily functions and lasts at least six months.
Separation anxiety disorder is an excessive fear or anxiety about separation from those with whom he or she is attached. The feeling is beyond what is appropriate for the person's age and causes problems functioning. They may be persistently worried about losing the person closest to him or her, and be reluctant or refuse to go to sleep away from home/without that person.
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder in which people have recurring, unwanted thoughts, ideas or sensations (obsessions) that make them feel driven to do something receptively (compulsions). Repetitive behaviors may include hand washing, checking on things (such as doors, locks) or cleaning, and significantly interferes with a person's daily activities. It may cause lateness, etc. because the compulsions do not stop even though the personal logically knows the door is locked, etc. Many people have focused thoughts and repeated behaviors, but not in the way that those with OCD do. Also, a person with OCD is not just being a neat freak or liking things in a certain way. A diagnosis of OCD requires the presence of obsession and/or compulsions that are time/consuming (more than one hour a day), cause major stress, and impair work, social, or other important function. About 1.2 perfect of Americans have OCD, often beginning in childhood.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a disorder that develops in some people who have seen or lived through a shocking, scary, or dangerous event. Symptoms may occur anywhere from 3 months to years after the event. Symptoms include those which are re-experiencing symptoms such as flashbacks (reliving the trauma over and over) or bad dreams/frightening thoughts, avoidance symptoms such as staying away from places, events, or objects that are reminders of the trauma, feeling emotionally numb, or strong guilt, depression and worry, losing in activities that were once enjoyable, and having trouble remember the dangerous event, arousal and reactivity symptoms such as being easily startled, feeling tense, difficulty sleeping and having angry outbursts, as well as cognition and mood symptoms such as trouble remember key features of the event, negative thoughts about oneself or the world, and distorted feelings.
It is likely that you have experienced or know someone who is experiencing an anxiety disorder. So what can you do for the person?
Know the symptoms. Most symptoms are general, and may or may not apply to each individual affected. Know what happens to your loved one leading up to the anxiety onset.
Let your loved one know you are there for them if they want to talk about how they are feeling.
Do not get frustrated with their anxiety. They are probably already extremely frustrated by it. Anxiety disorders aren't just though related- they're also chemical as well. They often know their fear is irrational, but cannot help it.
Don't expect massive, immediate turnarounds. Controlling anxiety takes time. They're going to need your support through the entire time. Don't guilt trip them, either.
Do be proud of them when they improve. Your support and love with help immensely. Sometimes all the person needs is you to be with them, not trying to fix anythinDon't give up hope. With support, love, and treatment, anxiety really can be helped. It's important to find what works best for each individual affected, and stick to it.
