Name of the medical condition and other names that it’s been known by

• Anxiety Disorder

• There are several types of anxiety disorders, including:

 

  » Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): This involves persistent and excessive worry that interferes with daily activities. The worries may focus on everyday things such as job responsibilities, family health, or minor matters such as chores, car repairs, or appointments

 

  » Panic Disorder: This involves sudden, intense fear that brings on a panic attack. During a panic attack, you may break out in a sweat, have chest pain, and have a pounding heartbeat (palpitations). Sometimes you may feel like you’re choking or having a heart attack.

 

  » Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): This involves anxiety and other symptoms that occur after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event, such as a natural disaster, serious accident, or violent crime.

 

  » Social Anxiety Disorder: This involves an intense fear of social situations, such as public speaking, meeting new people, or eating in front of others. This fear can be so severe that it interferes with daily activities.

 

  » Specific Phobias: These involve an intense fear of a specific object or situation, such as heights, flying, or spiders. The fear can be so severe that it interferes with daily activities.

 

What are Anxiety Disorders?

Anxiety disorders are a group of mental health conditions that cause constant and overwhelming anxiety and fear.  Anxiety is a normal emotion everyone feels occasionally, but anxiety disorders involve more than temporary worry or fear.

 

Symptoms of anxiety disorders can interfere with daily activities such as job performance, schoolwork, and relationships. They may include restlessness, a sudden feeling of panic and fear, uneasiness, nausea or cramps, sleep-related problems, cold or sweaty hands or feet, numbness in the hands or feet, shortness of breath, increased heart rate, chest pain, dry mouth, hot flashes or chills, sudden trembling, dizziness, avoidance of situations that may cause fear, obsessions and compulsions.

 

Anxiety disorders most often begin in childhood, adolescence, or early adulthood. The causes are currently unknown, but researchers suspect a combination of factors plays a role, including genetics, brain chemistry, and environmental factors.

 

However, anxiety disorders are treatable with a number of psychotherapeutic treatments, which help most people lead normal, productive lives.

 

Trend

• Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health conditions in the US, affecting about 40 million Americans.

 

• Approximately 30% of women and 23.5% of men in the US have anxiety disorders.

 

History

Anxiety disorders were only recognized in 1980 by the American Psychiatric Association. Before this recognition, people experiencing one of these disorders usually received a generic diagnosis of ‘stress’ or ‘nerves’.

 

Sources of Information

• American Medical Association

• American Psychiatric Association

• American Psychological Association

• CalmClinic

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

• Cleveland Clinic

• HealthLine

• HealthyPlace

• Mayo Clinic

• National Institute of Mental Health

• News Medical Life Sciences

• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

 

For informational purposes only. Consult a medical professional for advice.