| Anxiety is a normal emotion that everyone | | | | irrational fear reaction to a specific object or situation |
| experiences as part of everyday life. Normally, anxiety | | | | such as spiders, snakes or heights. This can lead to |
| can be useful in helping us avoid dangerous situations, | | | | the avoidance of common and everyday situations. |
| making us alert and giving us the motivation to deal | | | | 4. Generalized Anxiety Disorder |
| with problems. But when such feelings are too | | | | People with generalized anxiety disorder have |
| overwhelming, it can lead to anxiety disorder which | | | | excessive and persistent worry lasting more than six |
| may interfere with our normal life. The impact can be | | | | months. The anxiety may focus on issues such as |
| disastrous to the affected persons emotional, social, | | | | health, finances, career or family. They may also have |
| physical, and occupational life. Thus it must be handled | | | | fatigue, trembling, muscular tension, sleeping difficulties, |
| and treated as soon as possible. There are several | | | | abdominal upsets, dizziness and irritability. |
| types of anxiety disorders. It is important that correct | | | | 5. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder |
| diagnosis be made so that the appropriate treatment | | | | Post traumatic stress disorder can following witnessing |
| can be prescribed. | | | | or experiencing a life threatening or extremely |
| 1. Panic disorder | | | | distressing situation that causes feelings of intense |
| Panic attacks which occur repeatedly may make the | | | | fear, horror or a sense of helplessness. The afflicted |
| person feel like having a heart attack, or is going crazy. | | | | can experience flashbacks and nightmares, avoiding |
| The panic attack appears for no apparent reason. The | | | | places related to the trauma, have difficulty in sleeping, |
| person may complain of experiencing a fast heartbeat, | | | | and become easily irritated or have poor concentration. |
| chest pain or discomfort, sweating, trembling, tingling | | | | 6. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder |
| sensations in the body, feeling of choking, fear of dying, | | | | People with obsessive compulsive disorder have |
| fear of losing control, and feelings of unreality. Panic | | | | recurring obsession such as unpleasant thoughts, |
| disorder often occurs with agoraphobia. | | | | images or urges, compulsion or both. The obsessions |
| 2. Social Phobia | | | | may lead them to perform rituals or exhibit |
| People suffering from this condition have severe | | | | compulsions, such as excessive hand washing, |
| anxiety and excessive self consciousness. They fear | | | | cleaning, checking, hording or repeating phrases, to |
| of and avoid public speaking, meeting new people and | | | | relieve the anxiety caused by the obsession. |
| eating or drinking in front of others. In addition, they may | | | | Anxiety disorders are the most common of all mental |
| experience a fast heartbeat, faintness, blushing and | | | | disorders. Please do seek medical advice as soon as |
| profuse sweating. | | | | possible, if you or your friends is suffering from any of |
| 3. Specific Phobia | | | | the above mentioned symptoms. |
| People with this condition suffer from an intense, | | | | |