There are many types of anxiety disorders, each with its own characteristics.

• Generalized Anxiety frequently involves reoccurring fears and worries, such as health or finances, and they often have a persistent sense that something bad is just about to happen.  The reasons for the intense feelings of anxiety may be difficult to identify.  But the fears and worries are very real and often keep individuals from concentrating on daily tasks. 
• Panic Disorder involves sudden, intense and unprovoked feelings of terror and dread.  People who experience such symptoms often develop strong fears about when and where their next panic attack will occur, and they often restrict their activities as a result.
• Phobias are intense fears about certain objects or situations.  Specific phobias may involve things such as encountering certain animals or flying in airplanes, whereas social phobias involve fear of social settings or public places.
• Obsessive-compulsive Disorder is characterized by persistent, uncontrollable and unwanted feelings or thoughts (obsessions) and routines or rituals in which individuals engage to try to prevent or rid themselves of these thoughts (compulsions).  Examples of common compulsions include washing hands or cleaning house excessively for fear of germs, or checking over something repeatedly, (ex; door locks).
• Post-traumatic Stress Disorder can result as someone suffered physical and/or emotional trauma from natural disasters, serious accident or crime or assault to them.  Thoughts, feelings and behavior patterns become seriously affected by reminders of the event, sometimes months or even years after the traumatic experience.

Symptoms such as shortness of breath, racing heartbeat, trembling and dizziness often accompany certain anxiety disorders such as panic and generalized anxiety disorders.  Although they may begin at any time, anxiety disorders often surface in adolescence or early adulthood.  There is some evidence of genetic or family predisposition to certain anxiety disorders.  If left untreated, anxiety disorders may result in significant consequences.  Individuals may develop avoidance patterns to many social situations which may cause triggers of excessive anxiety.  These avoidance patterns may conflict with employment, family obligations or other daily living activities.         

What are options for managing anxiety disorders?

According to the National Institute of Mental Health research has demonstrated that both “behavioral therapy” and “cognitive therapy” can be highly effective in treating anxiety disorders.  Most cases of anxiety disorder can be effectively helped using the above therapies by appropriately trained and licensed mental health professionals. 

·        Behavioral therapies can help individuals develop relaxation and deep breathing techniques to counteract the agitation and hyperventilation, (rapid, shallow breathing) that accompany certain anxiety disorders.

·        Cognitive therapies teach individuals to understand how their thoughts contribute to the symptoms of anxiety disorders, and how to change those patterns to reduce the likelihood of occurrence and the intensity of reaction. The individual’s increased cognitive awareness is often combined with behavioral techniques to help them gradually confront and tolerate fearful situations in a controlled, safe environment. 

Medication properly and effectively managed can have an effective role for some individuals in the reduction and prevention of symptoms, along with the application of psychotherapy.  In cases where medications are used, the individual care may be managed collaboratively by a therapist and the patient’s primary care physician, (or in some cases a psychiatrist).