Panic Disorder
People who havepanic disorderexperience repeated, unexpected panic attacks.
People with panic disorder may avoid places where theyve previously experienced panic attacks.
These feelings must persist for six months to be considered to be brought on by social anxiety disorder.
Both children and adults can experience separation anxiety.
Nightmares involving worst-case scenarios and physical symptoms of stress and anxiety can occur in people with this disorder.
Specific phobia is an intense, irrational fear of something that poses little or no actual danger.
This fear goes beyond what may be rational and influences behavior.
What Is Selective Mutism?
Selective mutism is a somewhat rare disorder commonly associated with anxiety.
It results in a failure to speak in specific social situations despite having normal language skills.
This disorder usually presents before the age of 5.
How Do I Know If I Have an Anxiety Disorder?
Diagnosis
Getting a diagnosis can be the first step to getting treatment.
The diagnostic criteria for each anxiety disorder are different.
Risk Factors
Anxiety disorders are influenced by both genetic and environmental factors.
For example, there is a high prevalence of psychiatric symptoms and disorders inthyroid disease.
Heart arrhythmias or palpitations are also associated with anxiety and can be induced by stress.
Caffeine or other stimulants and some medications can also trigger or aggravate symptoms of anxiety disorders.
How Can I Get Help if I Have Severe Anxiety?
Severe anxiety requires treatment.
Medication
Pharmacological therapies are commonly prescribed to alleviate the symptoms of anxiety disorders, including anti-anxiety medications.
Buspirone is a non-benzodiazepine medicationspecifically used to treat chronic anxiety, although it does not help everyone.
Antidepressants like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors are also prescribed to treat anxiety disorders.
Self-Care
Self-care is an essential part of mental health care.
These disorders can be persistent and disabling, but fortunately, there are several effective treatment options.
The American Anxiety and Depression Association of America.Understanding Anxiety.
Anxiety and Depression Association of America.Facts & Statistics.
National Institute of Mental Health.Anxiety Disorders.
National Institute of Mental Health.Social Anxiety Disorder: More Than Just Shyness.
National Institute of Mental Health.Agoraphobia.
The Cleveland Clinic.Anxiety Disorders.
Placidi GP, Boldrini M, Patronelli A, et al.Prevalence of psychiatric disorders in thyroid diseased patients.Neuropsychobiology.
2020;9. doi:10.12688/f1000research.20082.1
MedlinePlus.Generalized anxiety disorder - self-care.
World Health Organization.Self-care for health and well-being.
