Anxiety
We all experience stress and "normal" anxiety in response to everyday life. Anxiety disorders involve anxiety that is more intense, lasts longer, and may become severe enough to interfere with your life.
Anxiety disorders are the
most common form of mental distress, and are a wake-up call to think and do things in a different way. Anxiety ranges from a discomfort that leaves you feeling uneasy most of the time, to overwhelming fear and panic that dominates your thoughts and behaviors. Anxiety may be related to biochemical imbalances, which may respond to medication, in addition to psychotherapy.
A variety of therapy techniques, from
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), to
EMDR and
Hypnotherapy may help relieve symptoms after only a few sessions.
Don't suffer needlessly.
Here are seven major types of anxiety disorders:
Panic Attacks
Sudden episodes of acute, intense anxiety that appear to come out of the blue.
Agoraphobia
A fear of panic attacks in situations that are perceived to be far from safety or a safe place (such as home), or from which escape might be difficult (such as driving on a freeway or waiting in line at the grocery store). Such fear can lead to avoidance of a wide range of situations.
Social Phobia
A fear of embarrassment or humiliation in situations where you are exposed to the scrutiny of others or must perform.
Specific Phobias
A strong fear and avoidance of one particular object or situation (such as spiders, water, thunderstorms, elevators, driving, or flying).
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Chronic anxiety and worry for at least six months about two or more issues or activities (such as work or health).
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Recurring obsessions (repetitive thoughts) and/or compulsions (rituals performed to dispel anxiety) that are severe enough to be time-consuming or cause marked distress.
Development of anxiety and other symptoms following an acute and intense trauma (such as a natural disaster, assault, rape, abuse, or accident) or after witnessing an event that involves death or injury to another person.
