Anxiety Disorder
By Dave Kettner

Anxiety disorders are real, serious and treatable.  The term disorder can cover a range of severities from general social anxieties to panic disorders.  disorders are often debilitating chronic conditions, which can be present from an early age or begin suddenly after a triggering event.  Distinguishing among different disorders is important, since accurate diagnosis is more likely to result in effective treatment and a better prognosis.  disorders can severely interfere with day-to-day life.

Anxiety is an unpleasant emotional state, the sources of which are less readily identified.  The terms and fear have specific scientific meanings, but common usage has made them interchangeable.  A family history of disorders is often suggestive of the possibility of an disorder.  One who is often plagued by sudden bouts of intense might be said to be afflicted by this disorder.  may occur without a cause, or it may occur based on a real situation but may be out of proportion to what would normally be expected.

A good assessment is essential for the initial diagnosis of an disorder, preferably using a standardized interview or questionnaire procedure alongside expert evaluation and the views of the affected



person.  26% of Americans are affected by disorders.  Only people who know someone with panic disorder or who have panic disorder truly understand how serious this condition really can be.  There is some controversy over how to treat disorders.  The two main treatments for generalized disorder are medications and psychotherapy, either alone or in combination.

Treatment is sometimes complicated by the fact that people very often have more than one disorder, suffer from depression or substance abuse.  Treatment selection therefore involves matching the individual patient's preferences, symptoms and treatment goals with the relative benefits and risks of the following treatment options.  The choices in treatment include behavioral therapy, lifestyle changes, and/or pharmaceutical therapy (medications).  The right treatment may depend very much on the individual's genetics and environmental factors.  Some people may respond to treatment after a few months, while others may take a year or more.

Be sure to check out the extensive resources and products that comprise this site in our effort to help those who suffer from disorder.  Check back often as we will be continually adding more disorder treatment options and solutions.