| According to the National Institute of Mental Health, | | | | Each of these anxiety disorders have different |
| anxiety disorders affect about 40 million American | | | | symptoms, but all of these symptoms posses a |
| adults each year. Anxiety disorders may affect the | | | | common thread and that is an excessive amount of |
| quality of your lifestyle and are capable of completely | | | | irrational fear and worry. |
| destroying your life if not treated immediately. | | | | This anxiety disorder is compounded by the fact that |
| Anxiety and depression are the most serious illnesses | | | | an individual is continually wondering and worrying |
| in the world. | | | | about when the next panic attack will occur. These |
| Those who suffer from generalized anxiety disorders | | | | sufferers (GAD), are constantly surrounded by things |
| experience an exaggerated, intense state of worry, | | | | in general that can easily worry and stress them out to |
| tension and fear. These experiences are most often | | | | very extreme levels. |
| accompanied with physical symptoms such as | | | | The fearful and worrisome anxiety that is constantly |
| nervousness, difficulty in breathing, twitching, | | | | experienced by individuals with generalized anxiety |
| headaches, sweating, hot flashes, cold chills, light | | | | disorders, are severe enough to be quite distressing |
| headiness and nausea. | | | | emotionally and may also interfere with their ability to |
| Because people are different, anxiety disorder | | | | function in social settings, at their work and in other |
| symptoms and their affects will vary from person to | | | | important areas of their lives. |
| person. | | | | Individuals with generalized anxiety disorder are most |
| Anxiety disorders, if untreated, often lead to | | | | often seen by friends and family as chronic worriers |
| depression. Anxiety attacks can happen at any time, | | | | who worry excessively about their life circumstances |
| anywhere and are categorized as a sudden attack of | | | | such as health, finances, relationships, home |
| fear and can also be a combination of both fear and | | | | management, work responsibilities and other various |
| apprehension. | | | | issues. |
| Symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder are caused | | | | Fear, worry and anxiety are a normal part of our life. |
| by an imbalance of a natural brain chemical known as | | | | It's natures way of keeping us alert and on our toes. |
| serotonin. Too much of this chemical is one of the | | | | The problem of anxiety arises when we find ourselves |
| major causes of generalized anxiety disorder. | | | | worrying excessively about events that may, or may |
| To help repair this unbalance, is the application of | | | | not come about. Many people are not aware of this |
| antianxiety medications. Our brain cells (neurons), use | | | | excess worrying and do not realize that they are |
| chemicals called neurotransmitters to communicate | | | | suffering from social anxiety disorders. |
| with one another. The antianxiety medications work on | | | | Conclusion |
| the neurons in the brain to reduce the symptoms of | | | | You may be experiencing these anxiety symptoms |
| anxiety. All of the current medications are very | | | | yourself, or you may know of someone who is. The |
| successful and effective in binding to the parts of | | | | toll an anxiety disorder takes on your life can lead to |
| neurons that are involved in producing these | | | | many other problems as well, such as low self-esteem, |
| symptoms of anxiety. These medications bind to the | | | | depression, substance abuse and alcoholism. Anxiety |
| parts of neurons that reduce anxiety as well, therefore | | | | can negatively impact your work, your personal |
| soothing excitability and generally bringing calmness to | | | | relationships and your lifestyle. |
| the people who use them. | | | | The wonderful news is that all anxiety disorders are |
| The variation of anxiety disorder symptoms can often | | | | treatable. You may be experiencing stress which may |
| cause sufferers to be filled with fear and uncertainty | | | | be easily treatable and with a bit of effort on your part, |
| and can last up to at least 6 months. If not treated in | | | | can be completely controlled and even eliminated |
| time, preferably in it's earlier stages, this same anxiety | | | | without much difficulty. |
| disorder is capable of getting much worse and also | | | | However, if you believe that your symptoms are |
| lasting for a much longer period of time. | | | | extremely serious and perhaps even life threatening, |
| The six most common anxiety disorders are panic | | | | then you may want to consider seeking the help of a |
| disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, also known as | | | | qualified health professional who can help you get the |
| (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), social | | | | relief you need from your fears and worries and begin |
| phobia or social anxiety disorder, specific phobias and | | | | living the healthy lifestyle that you deserve. |
| generalized anxiety disorder, or (GAD). | | | | |