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Anxiety Disorders Attack In Many Forms
Anxiety disorders have been gaining a lot of attention recently, as American public service campaigns call on friends to support their colleagues that are affected by a mental disorder. The commercials that are shown on national television touch on the isolating patterns that commonly emerge during anxiety disorders, and challenge people to look for help and give a level of support to the person suffering.
But, just how widespread are anxiety disorders in the US and what types do they assume? According to the Anxiety Disorders Association of America, this collective condition plagues a good forty million people in America. With a few 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 older, this form of the condition is characterized by a sufferer becoming extremely agitated over normal events. Individuals with this condition can find themselves being isolated from life by fears that arise out of either, justified or irrational reasons.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder - With some 2.2 million Americans suffering from this type of condition, it is the least common of the disorders. This condition is identified by a compulsion to carry out repetitive acts in a nearly ritualistic manner. Hand wrenching is a common pattern of this condition.
Panic Disorder - This form of condition consist of fear or panic attacks. It plagues some 6 million people and can be a rather crippling disorder. Since panic attacks mimic heart attacks and other serious 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 previously should be avoided at all costs.
Post traumatic Stress - This specific disorder is thought to affect about 7.7 million people. It is brought on by extreme trauma, such as rape, abuse or witnessing a violent act.
Social Anxiety - With 15 million people plagued by this type of anxiety, the condition is seen as quite severe. Actually, this is the kind 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 unreasonable fear of heights, spiders, snakes and other such things can lead a person to be affected by a severe bout of anxiety. This condition affects an estimated 19 million people and covers a host of various phobias.
Anxiety disorders are more common than most people realize. When the symptoms are serious and they sideline a person from everyday activities, help should be sought. Medical doctors, psychologists and other therapists can help patients to overcome their anxiety disorders in various ways.
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