Anxiety and Panic Disorder
Anxiety and Panic Disorder
Anxiety or panic disorder affects 18% of American adults. Anxiety is a feeling that can be regulated, and not a weakness or personality flaw. Anxiety disorders come in a range of shapes and sizes, but they have one thing in common: if you're suffering from one, day-to-day life can be exhausting. While some anxiety is normal and necessary, your anxiety prevents you from achieving your goals, making friends, and trying to pursue hobbies or projects you've always dreamed of doing. Maybe you experience panic attacks as well, which can feel overwhelming and debilitating.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
The most common type of anxiety is generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). GAD is characterized by excessive concerns and often irrational fears about attending to day-to-day activities and events. You may struggle to perform at school or work, and feel inadequate at fulfilling family or household responsibilities. Trying new activities causes immense worry, and you tend to avoid them. Some people with GAD also feel constant anxiety that something bad has happened or will happen to their loved ones. GAD can also lead to agoraphobia, the severe anxiety manifesting in a fear of leaving your house.
Panic Disorder
In addition to feeling anxiety in general, people suffering from panic disorder experience panic attacks. Panic attacks are episodes of intense fear that is felt physically and mentally. You may experience heart palpitations, sweating, shaking, hyperventilating, and numbness, along with the terror that something awful is going to happen.
Social Anxiety Disorder
Social anxiety disorder is characterized by a fear of rejection and humiliation in a social setting. Social settings cause you intense anxiety and you might avoid them entirely. Many individuals suffering from social anxiety disorder involuntarily blush and sweat in social situations and this compounds their anxiety even once they have worked up the courage to join a conversation.
Phobias
Phobias refer to excessive fear of certain objects or situations. Common phobias include fears of heights, spiders, and crowds. Being confronted by the object of your phobia may lead to a panic attack, and you may try to live your life in a way that allows you to avoid it at all costs.
Treatment
Anxiety is usually treated with a combination of medication and therapy. Your provider will prescribe medications and lifestyle modifications to improve your sense of overall wellbeing. Antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications can reduce the symptoms, making it easier to work through the anxiety that remains. Weekly therapy is recommended as a supplement to your care. Your therapist will help you learn skills to manage your anxiety or fear and explore the psychological basis for your anxiety.