Social Anxiety Disorders
In the normal course of life, anxiety arises as a spur to action. In case of danger or a threatening situation, it can actually help us to protect ourselves. However, if your anxiety is ever present and causing disruption to your life, you may be one of 40 million Americans who suffer from this abnormal anxiety.
The most common of all mental health disorders, anxiety and panic disorders cost the United States approximately 46 billion dollars a year in health costs. Specific anxiety disorders affect one out of every ten people, with a slightly higher prevalence in women. Anxiety disorders in children are often overlooked or misdiagnosed, but they can be successfully treated if brought to the attention of a medical professional.
Causes for anxiety disorders can be a combination of biological and psychological factors, and successful treatment includes medication, cognitive behavioral therapy and psychotherapy.
The symptoms of anxiety disorders vary according to the causes and types of anxiety disorders.
Acute Stress Disorder (ASD)
Known as "shell shock" in the past, Acute Stress Disorder is the result of a traumatic incident, either physical or emotional.
For a diagnosis of ASD, symptoms must be present within two days to four weeks after the date of the trauma. Symptoms include emotional detachment from self or others, a feeling of unreality, reduced sense of surroundings and a dissociation from self. Often, victims suffer from flashbacks or amnesia regarding the event.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Chronic worry over career, finances or health can cause irritability, digestive problems, insomnia and general muscle aches and pains. GAD is characterized by excessive or unrealistic worry that lasts six months or more and is one of the most common of all anxiety and panic disorders.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Plagued by persistent and recurring thoughts that reflect exaggerated fears or anxiety, people with OCD are eased by performing rituals or routines such as hand-washing, counting, hoarding or repeating phrases to relieve the anxiety from compulsive thoughts.
Panic Disorders
Heart palpitations, sweating, chest pains and trembling are all symptoms of a panic attack. Accompanied by feelings of imminent death or unreality, panic attacks also trigger feelings of a loss of control, and can be quite debilitating, leading some people to dread leaving their house out of fear that they might experience a panic attack in public.
Agoraphobia
Some people who suffer from panic attacks also experience agoraphobia, a fear of being in an "unsafe" environment, or somewhere difficult to escape, when a panic attack occurs. Unfortunately, this fear prevents sufferers from leaving their home or "safe" place, effectively curtailing any activities outside the home.
Phobias
An intense fear reaction to a specific situation or object, a phobia is usually inappropriate to the situation, causing the avoidance of everyday or common circumstances. Sufferers may recognize that the level of fear is out of proportion to the situation, but are helpless to control their fright.
Treatments for Social Anxiety Disorders
Social anxiety disorders are highly treatable when diagnosed; however, only about one third of people who suffer from anxiety disorders actually seek treatment. A combination of cognitive therapy, medication, anxiety management and exposure therapy has been successful in mitigating symptoms and allowing people to lead normal, productive lives.
If you suffer from an anxiety disorder, you’re alone, and many avenues of treatment are open. Overcoming fear and returning to a normal life is possible, but only if treatment is sought and followed. Relieving your fears and anxieties results in better physical, mental and emotional health, and is a goal within your reach.
Resources
Anxiety Disorders Association of America. (n.d.). Brief overview of anxiety disorders. Retrieved April 25, 2008, from the ADAA Web site: http://www.adaa.org/GettingHelp/Briefoverview.asp.
MentalHelp.net. (2001). Introduction to anxiety disorders. Retrieved April 25, 2008, from the MentalHelp.net Web site: http://www.mentalhelp.net/poc/view_doc.php?type=doc&id=436&cn=1.
Psychology Today. (2007). Acute stress disorder. Retrieved April 25, 2008, from the Psychology Today Web site: http://wwww.psychologytoday.com/conditions/acutestress.html.
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