The most common anxiety disorders, explained

By Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter

MONDAY, March 20, 2023 (HealthDay News) — Sometimes an anxiety disorder feels like worry and ruminates on many big and small things.

What is clear is that a person experiencing symptoms of an anxiety disorder is not alone. About 40 million American adults have one or more types of anxiety disorder, according to the American Anxiety and Depression Association (ADAA).

If you think you are one of those struggling with these issues, there is help available. There are a range of treatment options for anxiety disorders.

The pandemic has exacerbated anxiety issues, leading the US Preventive Services Task Force to recommend screenings for all adults under the age of 65.

‘COVID has wreaked tremendous havoc on the mental health of Americans,’ panel member said Lori Pbertclinical psychologist and professor at the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, said when the screening recommendations have been changed. “This is a priority topic for its importance to public health, but it is clear that there has been increased attention to mental health in this country in recent years.”

Anxiety disorders are so common that almost 30% of adults will suffer from them at some point in their lives, according to the American Psychiatric Association (WHAT).

While anxiety itself is a normal reaction to stress, the feelings involved in anxiety disorders are excessive for the circumstances.

More women than men have these conditions, according to the APA. Only about 43% of people with generalized anxiety disorder receive treatment, YOU.

Here is a list of the most common types of anxiety disorders.

Generalized anxiety disorder

You may be restless, irritable, have trouble concentrating, or have trouble controlling your worries. According to the NIMH, physical symptoms can include fatigue, headache, muscle aches, stomach pain, or trouble sleeping.

According to the APA, worries can relate to day-to-day issues, including work responsibilities and family health.

According to National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).

This may be driven by irrational worries about humiliation, according to NAMI.

According to the NIMH, symptoms can include flushing, sweating, tremors, racing heart, stomach pain, difficulty making eye contact, rigid body posture, and feelings of embarrassment.

Separation anxiety

According to NIMH. The feelings are greater than you would expect for a person’s age, according to the APA.

Symptoms may include nightmares.

This can include panic attacks, according to the NIMH, with a pounding or pounding heart, chest pain, tremors, feeling of impending doom, tingling, or sweating. Some may be afraid of dying, feel like they are choking, or feel out of breath, depending on the WHAT.

This can happen several times during the day or only a few times a year, according to the NIMH.

Not everyone who has a panic attack has panic disorder, the NIMH noted.

These can include fear of flying, heights, injections, blood, and certain animals, such as spiders or snakes.

According to NIMH.

Someone may avoid their fear or feel immediate intense anxiety when they encounter it.

Agoraphobia is the fear of a particular situation from which the person feels difficult to escape, according to the WHAT. Typically, this can include fear of being in open or closed spaces, being in crowds, using public transportation, or even just being outside the home.

Symptoms may include avoiding the situation or needing a companion to endure it.

Treatment of anxiety disorders

Several different types of treatments are commonly used to treat anxiety disorders.

Most will respond well to a type of talk therapy called cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or anti-anxiety medications, used together or separately.

CBT can help someone learn a new way of thinking which may include exposure to a specific fear.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a newer alternative that uses mindfulness and goal setting to reduce these negative feelings, NIMH said.

Medicines for anxiety disorders include a range of anti-anxiety and antidepressants that can balance brain chemicals, such as benzodiazepines, atypical antidepressants and beta-blockers.

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