Anxiety disorder
| Anxiety disorder | |
|---|---|
| Specialty | Psychiatry, clinical psychology  |
Anxiety disorder is a blanket term covering several different forms of abnormal anxiety, fear, phobia and nervous condition, that come on suddenly and prevent pursuing normal daily routines.
Types
Here are the various anxiety disorders listed by DSM-III-R:
- Panic disorder
- Agoraphobia
- Social Anxiety Disorder, also known as social phobia
- Specific phobia, or simple phobia
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
Treatment
Anxiety disorders are often debilitating chronic conditions, which can be present from an early age or begin suddenly after a triggering event. They are prone to flare up at times of high stress.
A number of drugs are used to treat these disorders. These include benzodiazepines and antidepressants of all main classes (SSRIs, TCAs and MAOis).
Many of these disorders can also be treated (with or without adjuctive pharmaceutical therapy) with the aid of a good counselor and behavioural therapies such as cognitive therapy.
References
The Numbers Count: Mental Disorders In America, 2006 (rev), National Institute of Mental Health, NIH Publication No. 06-4584 [1]
External links
- About Panic/Anxiety Disorders
- Anxiety Disorders Association of America Improving lives and providing hope through education, research, and treatment
- HealthyPlace.com Anxiety Community. Comprehensive information on anxiety and panic, from causes of anxiety disorders to anxiety medications and alternative remedies. Anxiety tests, journals, support groups.
- Anxiety treatment program for adults and children