Expert Opinion:
Twenty-five percent of the world’s population will suffer from at least one type of anxiety disorder in his or her lifetime. Experts conclude that most people who suffer from an anxiety disorder have dealt with the disorder since adolescence or childhood. “In the anxiety disorders, which include generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post traumatic disorder, the level of distress and impairment in all aspects of daily functioning is far from trivial.” (Ungar, 2003)
Generalized anxiety disorder is sometimes difficult to diagnose. It does not consist of specific, obvious symptoms that set apart other anxiety disorders, such as a panic attack. “To be officially diagnosed as GAD, persistent, disruptive worry must last six months or more and be about at least two distinct life experiences, such as health, money, or career.” (Anxiety Disorders Association of America, 2004) The symptoms that most commonly accompany generalized anxiety disorder are: fatigue, trembling, muscle tension, headache, and or nausea. “More woman than men have this illness, and GAD may also run in families.” ()
Panic disorder consists of recurring episodes of extreme fear, and these feelings often occur with out any warning at all. “A patient with panic disorder has repeated, unpredictable, and irrational attacks of fear and anxiety-panic attacks.”(Antai-Otong, 2003) There are many physical symptoms that accompany the panic disorder. These symptoms consist of: shortness of breath, dizziness or faintness, palpitations, nausea, choking sensation, sweating, flushing, chills, trembling, numbness or tingling, chest pain or discomfort, and fear of dying and or losing control. These symptoms usually max out with in ten minutes, and calm down minutes after the climax. However experts have reported panic attacks lasting for hours at a time.
“Affecting more than five million Americans, social anxiety disorder, also called social phobia, is a persistent and irrational fear of social or performance situations where the patient thinks others will judge him.” (Antai-Otong, 2003) This particular disorder affects men and woman equally, and may also occur in children. A great deal of people are uncomfortable when they give a presentation to their boss, or when they have to speak in front of a class full of peers. People with social anxiety disorder experience these feelings so intensely that they either avoid the situation all together, or it stresses them out so immensely the feelings will eventually evolve into a panic attack.
“Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a reaction to a terrifying event that keeps returning in the form of frightening, intrusive memories and brings on hypervigilance and deadning of normal emotions.” () This particular disorder is a response to the haunting memory of a physical or emotional trauma, such as abuse. This disorder occurs in more than five million Americans. The symptoms that are associated with this disorder are: headache, dizziness, and agitation. This disorder can occur right after the event takes place, or years afterwards, and the symptoms can continue for years to come.
“Individuals with obsessive compulsive disorder are plagued by persistent and recurring thoughts or “obsessions” that they find very disturbing.” (Anxiety Disorder Association of America, 2004) These individuals have constant thoughts about fears that have no core in reality. Persons with OCD, feel the need to perform some sort of ritual to help lessen the anxiety produced by the obsessions. A great deal of people has some sort of compulsion with cleanliness. Many people will bathe, wash their hands, or clean house constantly. Many individuals that suffer from this disorder, are embarrassed by it, and do not want to get the help they need to over come the disorder. Experts report that three percent of the population (or six million Americans) suffer from OCD. Men and woman equally are likely to have this disorder.
