Everyone experiences some level of anxiety which is a normal response as we meet the challenges of daily life. We may have worry or concerns about our job, getting good grades in school, or about making important decisions. Anxiety is often experienced as concerns about the future or an anticipated threat. It usually involves physical sensations such as nervousness, muscular tension, and some type of restless behavior. Although everyone experiences some level of anxiety some individuals have frequent and more intense experiences. It may be that as many as 10% of teenagers and 40% of adults may be coping with some type of anxiety disorder.
When anxiety becomes excessive and gets in the way of an individuals daily functioning, they may have an anxiety disorder and can benefit from getting professional treatment to reduce symptoms and more effectively manage their life.
The types of anxiety disorders are listed below.
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
- Panic Disorder
- Social Anxiety
- Agoraphobia
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Phobia
It is important to understand that anxiety is a treatable condition and can be reduced through a variety to treatment approaches. Anti-anxiety medication can be helpful initially to take the edge off of intense emotional experiences.