One in four of people in America will suffer from an anxiety disorder in their lifetime. These disorders are the most common mental illnesses affecting both children and adults. Unlike the relatively mild, brief anxiety caused by a stressful event such as a business presentation or a first date, anxiety disorders are chronic, relentless and can be progressively debilitating if not treated.
People with an anxiety disorder have persistent, intense and irrational anxiety, fear or dread that is uncontrollable and significantly affects their daily functioning at home, work or school.
The term “anxiety disorders” refers to many psychiatric disorders, each with its own distinct features. The disorders are bound together by the common theme of extreme fear or worry:

• Generalized anxiety disorder

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is characterized by excessive and unrealistic worry about multiple life areas. Individuals with GAD find it difficult to control their worry.
GAD may also result in physical symptoms, such as dry mouth, nausea or diarrhea, headache, restless leg syndrome, cold hands, sweating, or a “lump in the throat” feeling.
GAD is experienced by 5% of the U.S. population, affecting a wide variety of ages. However, 50% of sufferers will develop symptoms in adolescence. GAD tends to be a chronic condition with a fluctuating course, unless treated properly.

• Obsessive-compulsive disorder

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterized by obsessions and compulsions.
Obsessions are unwanted, intrusive thoughts, images, or impulses that generate high levels of anxiety.
Common examples of obsessions include contamination fears, repeated doubt, the need for exactness or order, aggressive or inappropriate/unacceptable thoughts.
Compulsions are repetitive acts done in an attempt to neutralize the obsessive thought, or the anxiety it causes, or to somehow prevent the feared event from occurring.
Common compulsions include washing and cleaning, checking, counting or ordering, repeating, praying, hoarding or seeking reassurance.
The average age of onset for this condition is roughly 20 although it can occur in individuals much younger.

• Panic Disorder

Panic Disorder (PD) is characterized by recurrent panic attacks. Panic attacks are defined as discrete periods of intense fear that at least initially occur “from out of the blue” or “for no apparent reason.”
These attacks occur very suddenly and build to their peak rapidly leading many PD sufferers to visit emergency rooms or primary care medical offices.
Physical symptoms or sensations experienced include: pounding heart or skipping beats, difficulty breathing, chest tightness or discomfort, sweating or chills, dizziness, tingling or numbness in the extremities, shaking, throat tightness, stomach upset or nausea or feelings of unreality.
These bodily sensations are commonly misinterpreted by individuals as a sign of impending doom (e.g., believe they are having a heart attack, going insane, fainting or about to lose control), and fear having additional attacks.
Agoraphobia
Panic disorder is also commonly associated with agoraphobia. Agoraphobia refers to the fear of certain situations due to the belief that one may have a panic attack and escape would be difficult or embarrassing.
Situations commonly feared and typically avoided by people with agoraphobia include: driving or riding as a passenger in a vehicle, being home alone, crowds or public places, bridges, escalators, open spaces, and closed spaces.
Agoraphobia generally develops within the first year of the onset of recurrent panic attacks.

• Post-traumatic stress disorder

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a condition that can develop following a traumatic event or experience, and creates a sense of fear, helplessness, or horror with the individual. Examples of situations which may trigger PTSD include combat, violent assault, abduction, natural or man-made disasters, and serious vehicle accidents.
Individuals with PTSD frequently “re-experience” the event, including intrusive distressing recollections of the event, nightmares, flashbacks, and distress upon exposure to things that remind them of the event. They may also have trouble sleeping, problems with concentration, feelings of guilt, angry outbursts or startle easily.

• Social anxiety disorder

Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is characterized by a persistent fear of social or performance-related situations in which embarrassment or possible negative evaluations by others could occur, resulting in avoidance that affects daily life. This fear is often accompanied by physical symptoms such as sweating, blushing, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, or muscle tenseness. SAD can lead to high levels of academic and occupational impairment.
SAD affects 13.5% of the U.S. population. The average age of onset is roughly 15, however, signs of SAD maybe present even in toddlers.
Anxiety disorders can be complex and disabling, but can be effectively treated to reduce the severity of symptoms.
Rogers Memorial Hospital is a nationally recognized leader in the treatment of anxiety disorders. Research suggests that the vast majority of people respond well to our treatment approach.
If you, or someone you know suffers from an anxiety disorder, contact our admissions department at 800-767-4411 to schedule a free screening. Or, request a screening online.