Learn About Anxiety

What is obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)?

Symptoms of OCD include obsessions and compulsions. Obsessions are unwanted thoughts, ideas, or images that cause marked distress and anxiety. Compulsions are behaviors or thoughts that are performed over and over in order to reduce this anxiety. OCD may be frightening and frustrating for its sufferers, as well as for their friends and family members. People with OCD who fear contamination may wash their hands until the skin is raw. Others may repeatedly check locks or appliances for fear that the house will be broken into or will burn down. Some people with OCD are bothered more by intrusive thoughts or images which they cannot stop from coming into their minds, and which are anxiety-provoking or do not make sense. Many people with OCD recognize that their fears are not rational, yet feel unable to resist the obsessions and compulsions.

> Treatment of OCD

What is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?

Many survivors of automobile and industrial accidents, assaults and natural disasters suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Symptoms of PTSD include sleep disturbance, difficulty concentrating, irritability, flashbacks and nightmares, which may be experienced long after the trauma.

Many survivors of trauma suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and continue to feel extreme anxiety and helplessness even long after the event. Symptoms of PTSD include flashbacks, nightmares, extreme distress at reminders of the event, sleep disturbances, difficulty concentrating and loss of interest.

> Treatment of PTSD

What is social phobia?

Many people experience some nervousness about some types of social interactions; for example, public speaking or meeting with the boss. However, people with social phobia become extremely anxious in social situations, and this anxiety prevents them from keeping up with their activities. People with social phobia avoid some social situations altogether. For example, they may turn down jobs requiring them to give presentations, avoid situations in which they would need to interact with others, and avoid situations where others may observe them, such as eating in public. Some people with social phobia do force themselves to confront these situations, but they endure them with intense anxiety.

> Treatment of Social Phobia

What is generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)?

At times, most people have concerns about life circumstances such as their own health or the health of a loved one, the future, or their finances. Such concerns can be healthy if they motivate us to take productive action. Yet for people with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), this concern becomes uncontrollable worry and anxiety that takes a great toll on mental, and often physical well-being. Sufferers of GAD worry excessively about minor everyday matters, and their anxiety hampers their ability to cope or manage such circumstances productively. They may devote many hours or days to worrying about everyday life problems. Because of their high levels of anxiety, they may avoid making decisions that most people could make. Extended periods of extreme stress and anxiety may also be associated with medical ailments such as irritable bowel syndrome.

> Treatment of GAD

What is a panic attack/panic disorder?

Panic attacks are periods of intense anxiety that may last from a few minutes to several hours. They begin suddenly and often reach their peak quickly. Sometimes, panic attacks are expected, but at other times, they seem to come from "out of the blue."

Symptoms of panic attacks include shortness of breath, choking sensations, dizziness, rapid heart rate, feelings of impending doom, and fears of dying (e.g., by a heart attack) or losing control. Often, the person fears having more panic attacks, and might avoid situations or places that might cause another attack. This tendency to stay in "safe" places is called agoraphobia.

> Treatment of Panic