FAQ

Anxiety Disorders

This category includes: panic disorder, agoraphobia, specific phobias (such as fear of heights or snakes), social or performance phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder.  Each of these disorders is characterized by discrete periods of fear, usually with physical and emotional symptoms. Frequently experienced symptoms are:

• racing or pounding heart

• dizziness or faintness

• fear of death or harm

• sweating

• shaking or trembling

• feelings of nausea or diarrhea

• feeling of unreality or detachment

• worry about losing control or going crazy

• chills or hot flashes

• choking or difficulty breathing

Often, the sufferer resorts to avoidance behaviors or ritualized behaviors in order to subdue anxious feelings.  In posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the sufferer often relives, in nightmares or flashbacks, the original trauma, such as fire, flood, or abuse.

These conditions may persist for months or years without proper treatment.  Fortunately, treatment is available, both in the form of medication and psychotherapy.  Medications can include the anxiolytics and antidepressants.  Psychotherapies include cognitive, behavioral, and existential modalities. There are also specialized desensitization therapies for specific phobias, social or performance phobias, and for PTSD. Likewise, obsessive-compulsive disorder has specific treatment protocols and specialized medications.

Even if your thoughts, behaviors, and attitudes have become patterned through avoiding certain items, places, and events or through compulsive rituals, there is treatment for you.  Incidence and prevalence in the population are high, but treatment is often helpful and effective.