What is Anxiety Anyway?

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Filed under: Anxiety And Panic Disorders 

The term anxiety, or anxiety disorder is really a catch-all term for many anxiety related mental conditions. To simply say someone has anxiety is to suggest that they are experiencing a feeling of fear, apprehension, worry, or other vague and unpleasant feelings. An anxiety disorder is often accompanied by physical symptoms and sensations.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, there are five general categories of mental anxiety disorders. In those five, there are additional subcategories that make it even more complex and challenging for a mental health professional to develop an accurate diagnosis.

The first of these five categories is called GAD, or generalized anxiety disorder. This is probably one of the most common types of anxiety. Ongoing or continual excess of worried or concerned about every day life and situations is symptomatic of GAD. People with generalized anxiety disorder can continue to function in society depending on the severity of the symptoms. Physical symptoms may also become apparent and include sleeplessness, fatigue, headaches and muscle tension. General anxiety disorder is considered chronic but can be successfully treated in controlled with medications and counseling.

Second, and one of the most common anxiety disorders is known as social anxiety. Societal anxiety is characterized by an over concern about how people may perceive you in a public place. Social anxiety is demonstrated by people who are unable or uncomfortable speaking in public. Many very popular celebrities have been known to suffer from social anxiety. You may want to check the website below for more information on social anxiety and those who suffer with it.

Third on the list of the top five anxiety categories is the obsessive compulsive disorder or OCD. A person suffering with obsessive-compulsive disorders is usually identified as being locked into ritualistic behavior. That is, someone who is overly worried about germs may wash their hands hundreds of times a day. People with OCD may have been unhealthy focus on certain aspects of their life which results in an ongoing behavior to try to limit the effects of the problem. Another example may be somewhat worried about being secure in their home may consistently check doors and windows to verify they are locked.

Fourth is panic disorder. Panic disorder is very similar to the feelings one would get while watching a horror or suspenseful movie. Symptoms include rapid breathing, fast and hard heart pumping, dizziness, lightheadedness and tangling in your hands and feet are all part of a panic attack. The difference between watching the horror or suspense movie, and someone suffering a panic attack is one of control. If that edge of your seat feeling becomes to intense at the movies you can simply close your eyes and regain control. Someone who suffers from panic attacks cannot control when or how long they happen.

Fifth is posttraumatic stress disorder and is usually associated with returning war veterans. PTSD however, can happen to anyone that experiences, a physical are particularly traumatic situation. Traumatic stress disorder has been known to affect people close to someone who has directly experienced a particularly trying our traumatic episode.

This is a very quick thumbnail of the major types of anxiety disorders that have so far been identified. For more information on these and other general mental health information, see the website below.

Abigail Franks
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/what-is-anxiety-anyway-84320.html

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Comments

9 Comments on What is Anxiety Anyway?

  1. Johnny Awesome on Tue, 2nd Mar 2010 2:58 am

    2. i suffer from he same condition as you, what i find is that its the anticipation of the event rather than the event itself that’s scary, what i mean is that its in our head to feel judged and anticipate all that could go wrong but you just have to dive in the deep end, panic attacks and all…
    References :

  2. bored_and_fat on Tue, 2nd Mar 2010 3:00 am

    3. what u really need is xanax. i find that works best by far. nips panic in the bud within 20 minutes, lasts for up to 8 hours. well, take the full 5mg of diazepam (christ you managed to get 5mg ur lucky most only get a mere 2mg), and just try to chill. u will be fine.

    u need to learn to manage this. i know easier said then done, but if you dont manage it, its gonna mess up opportunities in life. there is no real reason to be nervous tomorrow. its only college, u aint bein catapulted to the moon u or performing at 02. chill.
    References :

  3. Foxy_Stoat_Seeks_Pig on Tue, 2nd Mar 2010 3:02 am

    4. i wouldnt take any, everyones nervious when they start somewere new, it’s normal, the only real hard part is the build up untill you get there, once your there you’ll be fine, everyone is diffrent and probably are worried about the same things. just relax, do some breathing exercises and you’ll be fine,

    dont start taking that stuff because you dont know the effects of them, they can really make you feel strange.
    References :

  4. so_so_wicked on Tue, 2nd Mar 2010 3:04 am

    5. First, you are one of many who will be feeling the exact same way. I believe you that you have social anxiety, but it is also NORMAL to feel nervous starting something new like going to college. Both medications you mention are in the family of benzodiazapines. They are fairly quick to enter your bloodstream and be effective, you feel the relaxation after about 15 minutes. They also only work for a few hours. They can make you sleepy. You should not drink alcohol with them. Diazepam is Valium. I would go with the Diazepam as your doctor recommended. It is a sure thing. Lorazepam is better at bedtime. You should also have some plan of what to do if you become nervous- something to look at like a book. Remember to smile, that is your best option. You don’t have to talk too much, just smile.
    References :
    I have an anxiety disorder for which I am treated.

  5. mindguidance hypnosis on Tue, 2nd Mar 2010 3:06 am

    6. Most of the time, people are in their own world, not concerned with you at all. There are going to be a lot of other people nervous on their first day too.
    I know this doesn’t help you with your nervousness, but there is so much more to look at than you in the world. I mean that with the utmost respect for you and your condition.

    People are always in their own heads worried about what other people are thinking of them. When you look over at someone who you think may be judging you, they are most likely thinking that of you too!

    So, if you start to get nervous, remember everyone thinks that you’re judging them too. And because you know you’re not, perhaps that will give you a different perception of what’s going on in their heads too.
    References :
    I am a consulting hypnotist with a hypnosis practice in Dallas, Texas http://www.mindguidance.com

  6. BRIAN on Tue, 2nd Mar 2010 3:08 am

    7. You need to no what you are putting in your Mouth !.
    All those drugs slow the firing process in the brain. if you want a Brain that works you cant feed it drugs. I no of a brain vitamin that will out perform any drug and its called Brain Rescue by greenmedica.com.
    References :
    You can buy it at greenmedica.com Brain Rescue

  7. sheheselden on Tue, 2nd Mar 2010 3:10 am

    8. how did you cope with school? did your gp already know your history of social anxiety? if he did then he should have offered you some sort of counselling, he has prescribed you diazepam which will help calm you. was it your gp that also prescribed the lorazepam? this sounds slightly confusing to me sorry to say
    References :
    experience

  8. crossbake on Tue, 2nd Mar 2010 3:12 am

    9. It’s perfectly normal to feel anxious at times. Running to the Doctor for pills in every situation you face is not going to help the root cause. You just have to face things like this in life.
    References :

  9. !i!i!i!i!i!i!i!i!i!i!i on Tue, 2nd Mar 2010 10:56 am

    10. Social anxiety question ???????
    So im starting a new college tomorrow and am feeling really nervous. I’ve got social anxiety and I’m convinced I’m going to have a panic attack or faint if I go. I feel as though everyone is looking at me and judging me. I start shaking and my face goes red and my heart starts beating really fast and i start sweating. Anyway i told my GP and he prescribed me 5mg diazepam tablets to take just incase i feel like this in the morning. I have also got 2 lorazepam tablets (1mg each) to take incase i cant sleep but i have been told these also help with anxiety. Anyway what whould you recommend i take : Lorazepam or diazepam for tomorrow ? and how much should i take?

    I know i should listen to my doctor but this is only a one of and im feeling really nervous

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