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Anxiety disorders are mental health conditions in which patients feel excessive anxiety, fear or distress during situations in which most other people would not experience these symptoms. People with these disorders may feel chronic, intense and irrational anxiety on a regular or even daily basis. As a result, anxiety disorders seriously diminish quality of life, hampering a person’s ability to work, travel or form and maintain interpersonal relationships.
Normally, anxiety is part of the body’s alarm system, alerting a person to danger or providing an extra energy to help accomplish a task.  However, some people experience anxiety for no particular reason, or that is out of proportion with the actual threat that may be present. Some of these individuals may have an anxiety disorder. Others may experience anxiety in conjunction with another mental disorder, such as depression, or as a side effect of prescribed medications.
Anxiety Disorders are among the most common mental illnesses in America and account for one-third of the total mental health bill in the United States, according to the National Mental Health Association.
Depression is often associated with anxiety disorders. Symptoms of depression include feelings of sadness, hopelessness and low energy.
Despite the fact that many anxiety disorders are highly treatable, just one-third of those who experience symptoms actually visit a physician, according to the ADAA. Patients who have previously undergone treatment for an anxiety disorder but did not find it effective should not be discouraged. Most cases of anxiety disorder that do not respond to one form of treatment will respond to another. In addition, new approaches are emerging all the time. Patients should tell their physician about their previous treatment regimen (including types of medications or psychotherapy) and whether or not it was effective. |
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