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Anxiety disorders affect about 18 percent of American adults each year (and about twice as many women as men), causing them to be filled with fearfulness and uncertainty. Unlike the relatively mild, brief anxiety caused by a stressful event - such as speaking in public or a first date - anxiety disorders last at least six months and can get worse if they are not treated.

Anxiety disorders commonly occur along with other illnesses, including alcohol or substance abuse, which may mask anxiety symptoms or make them worse. In some cases, these other illnesses need to be treated before a person will respond to treatment for the anxiety disorder.

There are many types of anxiety disorders including

• generalized anxiety disorder (GAD),
• panic disorder,
• obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD),
• post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD),
• social phobia (or social anxiety disorder) and specific phobias.
  
  

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
GAD is diagnosed when a person worries excessively about a variety of everyday problems for at least six months. People with GAD can't seem to get rid of their concerns, even though they usually realize that their anxiety is more intense than the situation warrants. They can't relax, startle easily, and have difficulty concentrating. Often they have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. They may worry excessively about work, relationships, finances, the well-being of one's family, potential misfortunes, and impending deadlines. Sporadic panic attacks are common.

Physical symptoms that often accompany the anxiety include fatigue, headaches, muscle tension, muscle aches, difficulty swallowing, trembling, twitching, irritability, sweating, nausea, lightheadedness, having to go to the bathroom frequently, feeling out of breath, and hot flashes.

When their anxiety level is mild, people with GAD can function socially and hold down a job. Although they don't avoid certain situations as a result of their disorder, people with GAD can have difficulty carrying out the simplest daily activities if their anxiety is severe.

Other anxiety disorders, depression, or substance abuse often accompany GAD, which rarely occurs alone. GAD is commonly treated with medication or cognitive-behavioral therapy, but co-occurring conditions must also be treated using the appropriate therapies.

Anxiety is among the most common, most treatable mental disorders. Effective treatments include cognitive behavioral therapy, relaxation techniques, and biofeedback to control muscle tension.

Medication, most commonly anti-anxiety drugs, such as benzodiazepine and its derivatives, also may be required in some cases. Some commonly prescribed anti-anxiety medications are diazepam, alprazolam, and lorazepam. The non-benzodiazepine anti-anxiety medication buspirone can be helpful for some individuals.

For more information
Anxiety Disorders Association of America
National Alliance on Mental Illness
Mental Health America

Related articles
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When Panic Attacks
Managing social anxiety
Post-traumatic stress disorder
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Sources:
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
National Mental Health Information Center

Page updated February 1, 2010