Anxiety Disorder And Anxiety Disorders

There are many different types of mental disorders that affect different people in many aspects of life. In fact, an estimated 26.2 percent of Americans 18 and older suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year (Kim Foundation, 2006). Therefore, it is safe to say that many people are impacted by a disorder. A mental disorder can be minor, such as ADHD, or can be as major as Alzimers, or in some cases, death. You can be born with a mental disorder, such as an abnormality in the brail, or you could pick up a mental disorder, such as PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). In this paper, I will be elaborating on the most common type of mental disorders, Anxiety disorders.
Before we fully get into the different disorders of anxiety,
we first shall discuss the true definition of Anxiety. The medical definition of anxiety is a painful or apprehensive uneasiness of mind usually over an impending or anticipated ill. (Mariam Webster, 2015). Anxiety is actually around very much in our lives. In fact, most people face it every day. Anxiety can be the feeling a person can get right before they have to walk up and present a PowerPoint to class, or being late to work and knowing that the boss will be disappointed. Anxiety doesn’t have to be a bad thing. In fact, Anxiety can drive a person to do things, such as getting a paper done that has a particular deadline, or study for a test that a student might not be too sure about. Most people have had anxiety one time or another. However, some people have anxiety a lot more than others. In fact, a person with anxiety disorders, rather than the anxiety going away over time, seem to not go away, or even get worse. There are three different types of Anxiety Disorders; General Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Panic Disorder, and Social Anxiety Disorder, better to be known as Social Phobia. These disorders are very common towards one another, being that these disorders all pertain to having excessive anxiety. However, each of these disorders have their own unique traits to categorize them individually.
Anxiety is always a part of our life, coming and going as problems are created and as they are resolved. However, a person with the anxiety disorder General Anxiety Disorder (GAD), will be constantly worried about the most general things. These issues can include life goals, money problems, or deadlines to work or school. When looking into the different causes of GAD, research has not identified specifically the cause of this disorder. Studies have shown that it can be genetically passed down, but it cannot be said exactly whether you will get it or not. As scientists look further and further in the brain as neuroscience, more than likely more information will reveal itself. Some signs and symptoms that can be related to General Anxiety disorder would be stressing too much over problems, not being able to relax, or not being able to pay full attention due to worrying about a problem in their mind. Sleeping problems may also occur. Having headaches, twitching, muscle tension or soreness, sweating, or hot flashes are a few physical symptoms that have been directly related to GAD. This anxiety disorder will most often start in young adulthood.
Panic Disorder is another common anxiety disorder.
In contrast to the other two anxiety disorders, it is the least common of the two. Panic Disorder is defines as “An anxiety disorder that is characterized by sudden attacks of fear and panic”(). This fear can effect many different aspects of a person’s life, such as trying to avoid a trigger for the panic attacks, such as a place or person, or even not being able to go out at all, being in fear that leaving the safe haven of home will bring back the panic attacks. A trigger can be just about anything, from something worth being stressed over, such as a deadline at work to where things need to be done, or something less relevant, such as someone standing too close to you, or not being able to see the exits of a room. Panic disorders can come with other problems, such as depression, or even alcoholism. If these problems occur, they should be treated as its own disorder, and not treated together. Symptoms of Panic Disorder are not hard to spot, and, when treated properly, may be very beneficial in the prevention of panic attacks. Two out of every 3 American women will develop a panic
disorder.

The third and final Anxiety disorder would be Social Anxiety Disorder, or better known as Social Phobia.
Social Phobia is defined as “a type of anxiety disorder characterized by shyness and heightened self-consciousness in particular social situations.” Social Phobia can be applied to a very specific interaction, such as fearing to being judged while eating with friends in between classes, or something more general, as getting anxiety just by seeing a person. The specific cause for this disease is not yet known. There is some correlation with Social Phobia running in families; however, there isn’t enough evidence to say that it is purely genetic. Scientists are looking at different ways that stress and the environment of the patient may help or hurt the disorder. A person with this disorder may have other similar disorders, such as GAD or depression. Social Phobia can be diagnosed through an adult’s lifetime, however, it is usually found in youth, with symptoms being shown during a child’s social interaction with others. A medical Physician will be able to diagnose a patient with this disorder if they are showing symptoms for around 6 months. Some symptoms include having trouble making conversation with people, being very self-conscious about themselves while around others, being afraid of judgment, excessively worry about a social interaction in the future, or avoiding places where people tend to be, such as malls or a recreational
area.