Anxiety Disorders

You are in the middle of the Mall and suddenly, out of the blue, you are gripped by a terrifing fear.  You're heart is racing, can't catch your breathe, you're all tensed up, your hands are tingling, you break into a sweat and you feel like you're going to faint.  This is so sudden and overwhelming that you think you either going to die or lose your mind, right there.  After a few minutes you return to normal, the fear is gone almost as quick as it came.  Now you start to wonder about your health.

Over the next few weeks you began to worry at the thought of another panic attack coming on.  This worry is so intense that it disrupts your work, familiy and social life.   Then you begin to avoid not going anywhere because, you think, at least if you have another attack you'll be at home.   Sound familiar?  It does to me.  * 19 million Americans have one or more anxiety disorders (this includes panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive compulzive disorder, PTSD, and phobias.)

As with many other mental illnesses, anxiety disorders are chronic, unremitting, and may grow worse unless properly treated.  People with anxiety disorders are tormented by episodes of sheer panic, irrational thoughts and fears, compulsive behaviors or rituals, flashbacks, nightmares, or numerous other physical symptoms.  I ususally feel boxed in and the need to escape NOW, my hands start shaking, and I feel like I'm going crazy.  After an attack, I'm drained of energy and just want to lay down.  Problems such as substance abuse and depression often go hand in hand with anxiety disorders.    Unfortunately, this is something I have to live with for the rest of my life because there is no cure.  There are, however, many effective treatments to help with the symptoms and improve your life.  Some with anxiety disorders, a large number actually, never get properly diagnosed or treated, mainly due to the social stigma that goes with mental heath 'labels'. What causes anxiety disorders?  No one knows, but there are theories.  Such as possibly being rooted in biology, psychology, social circumstances, and environment to varying degrees.  An imbalace of a brain chemical, serotonin, which has a major role in mood regulation, is another theory.  Hereidity is another possibility.  Certain environmental stress such as the death of a loved one, divorce, moving to another city, or starting college is also another theory.