How to Find Out More About Panic and Anxiety Disorder
Panic and anxiety disorder affects close to 40 million people in the United States, and those totals reflect only the adult population.
It is also estimated that 1 in every 10 children and adolescents will also struggle with some form of anxiety.
So, where exactly can you turn for information and support if you suspect that you or a loved one may be affected? Anxiety is a perfectly normal human emotion, but when it becomes severe and persistent and gets in the way of normal functioning, it could be an indication of an anxiety disorder.
While there are many different types of anxiety disorders, including Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder and Agoraphobia, the one characteristic that unifies all of them is a pervasive sense of fear and unwanted, uncomfortable thoughts.
These thoughts and fears, when left untreated can cause serious problems - both personally and professionally - for the anxiety or panic sufferer.
Anxiety and Panic disorders have no known cause, and depending on who you talk to you about the origin of your particular disorder you may get several different responses.
Severe stress, family history and major life changes, such as the loss of a loved one, are all thought to be contributing factors, and many doctors believe the condition may be caused by a chemical imbalance of certain neurotransmitters in the brain.
Where to Turn for Help If you suspect that you may be suffering from an anxiety disorder, the first thing you should do is consult your family physician for a complete examination.
Explain your symptoms in detail, including how these symptoms affect your daily functioning.
If your doctor confirms the presence of such a disorder, he or she may then refer you to a mental health professional for treatment.
Usually this treatment will consist of a combination of prescription medication, to help ease the symptoms of your anxiety, and psychotherapy designed to help you deal with the underlying cause of those symptoms.
Despite how anxiety can sometimes make you feel, you are not alone.
Depending on where you live and the type of disorder you are coping with, you may be able to find a support group of people experiencing the same type of challenges that you are facing.
If there isn't a support group in your area, there are many online support groups that may be able to help.
How to Find Out More about Panic and Anxiety Disorders In the past, information about panic and anxiety disorder was hard to come by, but with the popularity of the internet all of that has changed.
There are literally thousands of online sites, including the one operated by the National Institute for Mental Health, or NIMH.
com, dedicated to providing current and useful information to those suffering from all types of anxiety disorders and phobias.
Living with an an anxiety or panic disorder can be a frightening and frustrating experience, but it doesn't have to be a lonely one.
If anxiety is beginning to cause problems in your life, seek out medical attention and support immediately, and take the first step towards reclaiming your life.
It is also estimated that 1 in every 10 children and adolescents will also struggle with some form of anxiety.
So, where exactly can you turn for information and support if you suspect that you or a loved one may be affected? Anxiety is a perfectly normal human emotion, but when it becomes severe and persistent and gets in the way of normal functioning, it could be an indication of an anxiety disorder.
While there are many different types of anxiety disorders, including Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder and Agoraphobia, the one characteristic that unifies all of them is a pervasive sense of fear and unwanted, uncomfortable thoughts.
These thoughts and fears, when left untreated can cause serious problems - both personally and professionally - for the anxiety or panic sufferer.
Anxiety and Panic disorders have no known cause, and depending on who you talk to you about the origin of your particular disorder you may get several different responses.
Severe stress, family history and major life changes, such as the loss of a loved one, are all thought to be contributing factors, and many doctors believe the condition may be caused by a chemical imbalance of certain neurotransmitters in the brain.
Where to Turn for Help If you suspect that you may be suffering from an anxiety disorder, the first thing you should do is consult your family physician for a complete examination.
Explain your symptoms in detail, including how these symptoms affect your daily functioning.
If your doctor confirms the presence of such a disorder, he or she may then refer you to a mental health professional for treatment.
Usually this treatment will consist of a combination of prescription medication, to help ease the symptoms of your anxiety, and psychotherapy designed to help you deal with the underlying cause of those symptoms.
Despite how anxiety can sometimes make you feel, you are not alone.
Depending on where you live and the type of disorder you are coping with, you may be able to find a support group of people experiencing the same type of challenges that you are facing.
If there isn't a support group in your area, there are many online support groups that may be able to help.
How to Find Out More about Panic and Anxiety Disorders In the past, information about panic and anxiety disorder was hard to come by, but with the popularity of the internet all of that has changed.
There are literally thousands of online sites, including the one operated by the National Institute for Mental Health, or NIMH.
com, dedicated to providing current and useful information to those suffering from all types of anxiety disorders and phobias.
Living with an an anxiety or panic disorder can be a frightening and frustrating experience, but it doesn't have to be a lonely one.
If anxiety is beginning to cause problems in your life, seek out medical attention and support immediately, and take the first step towards reclaiming your life.
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