Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety is a normal reaction to stress. It can make it easier to deal with a tense situation, study harder, or keep focused. It helps you stay focused and prepared. But when anxiety becomes excessive it can become disabling.

There are five major types of anxiety: generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, social phobia, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

The most common is generalized anxiety disorder. GAD causes exaggerated worry and tension. Sufferers worry excessively about health issues, family, work problems, and financial issues – even when things are going well. It interferes with concentration and sleep and can cause distressing physical symptoms. This is a real illness and it can be treated with therapy and medication.

Answering yes to some of the following questions may indicate that you suffer from GAD:

• I never stop worrying about things big and small.
• I have headaches and other aches and pains for no reason.
• I am tense a lot and have trouble relaxing.
• I have trouble keeping my mind on one thing.
• I get crabby or grouchy.
• I I have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep.
• I sweat and have hot flashes.
• I sometimes have a lump in my throat or feel like I need to throw up when I am worried

For more information:

• www.nimh.nih.gov
• www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov
• www.healthyminds.org
• www.psychcentral.com/disorders
• www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic