Stress and anxiety are serious mental illnesses
that affect approximately 19 million people in the United States.
While most people have probably experienced some form of stress
or anxiety as a result of giving a school presentation or a
going on a first date, anxiety disorders are different. They are
chronic
and relentless, and may even grow progressively worse over time
if untreated. There are several different kinds of anxiety disorders,
which include: panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder,
post-traumatic stress, and social phobia (social anxiety) disorder.
While each form of anxiety disorder in unique, they all encompass
a theme of excessive, irrational fear and dread.
Panic Disorder - people who suffer from panic disorder experience
feelings of sudden terror, which occur repeatedly and without
warning. People who experience panic attacks feel their heart
is pounding, a dizziness, faintness, as well as feeling flushed
and sweaty. There are more extreme forms of panic attacks where
one may feel a sense of unreality and impending doom or fear.
These can provoke symptoms of nausea, chest pains, and you might
even genuinely believe you are having a heart attack. Panic disorders
are more common in females and affect about 2.4 million Americans.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)- OCD is an anxiety disorder
that consists of two parts, an obsession and a compulsion.
People who suffer from OCD experience unwanted thoughts, and
repeatedly
perform specific tasks. The unwanted/disturbing thoughts are
the obsessions, and the ritualistic tasks one performs to prevent
or get rid of them are the compulsions. Some common obsessive
thoughts include excessive neatness, fear of germs, a preoccupation
with counting, or fear something bad is always going to happen
(such as a fire in ones house or apartment). Consequently,
some
compulsions one may have include excessive cleaning, washing
hands numerous times, long periods of touching things or counting,
and
one may even constantly check a stove or iron to make sure
it’s
turned off. OCD consumes lots of time, is rather distressing,
and interferes with your daily life.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder- Those who suffer from post-traumatic
stress disorder have developed a debilitating condition as
a result of experiencing a terrifying and traumatic event. The
thoughts
and memories of such events are persistent and victims can
grow distant from friends and loved ones, as well as make one
feel
emotionally numb. Some general examples of such events, which
can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder include: violent
attacks (such as a rape or a mugging), being kidnapped, child
abuse, experiencing
a natural disaster, or witnessing a tragedy or massive death
(such as an accident or being in a veteran war). People who
suffer from
PTSD constantly relive the experience, whether it’s
in the form of nightmares or during conscious recollections
throughout
the day. This can affect ones sleep, emotions, as well as
ones relationships with others. One may feel more aggressive,
irritable,
or even violent then ever before.
Social Phobia (social anxiety) Disorder- People who suffer from
social phobia disorder experience feelings of overwhelming anxiety
and self-consciousness when confronted with daily social situations.
Some of those afflicted with SPD have an intense fear of being
watched or judged by others. In some cases, one may dread the
fact that others notice their own anxiety, while others are actually
embarrassed or humiliated by their own actions. People suffer
from SPD on several different levels. Some have specific fears
like public speaking or eating in front of others, while more
severe cases illustrate that one can suffer from SPD anytime they
are in a social situation. Symptoms of Social Phobia Disorder
include: sweating, trembling, nausea, as well as troubles in speaking.
SPD can being in childhood or adolescence, and if untreated, can
lead to other mental illnesses such as depression or substance
abuse.
