Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health conditions. They are all characterized by uncontrollable feelings of fear and worry. Not to mention, they can affect your day-to-day life adversely.
Out of all the anxiety disorders, social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, agoraphobia are the most common of them all. Now let’s have a look at these three anxiety disorders in detail:
Social Anxiety Disorder
Social anxiety disorder involves intense fear of being judged and watched by others. It affects everything in your life, interaction with friends and family, work, school, and more. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, around 7.1% of the people in the US have social anxiety disorder. Also, it is found to be more common among females than males.
Symptoms of Social Anxiety Disorder
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Difficult speaking or perform in social situations
- Trembling, shaking, or sweating
- Recurrent nausea and rapid heartbeat
- Blushing and going blank
Treatment of Social Anxiety Disorder
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
- Antidepressants and benzodiazepines
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Prolonged exposure therapy
- Group therapy and social skills training
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Generalized anxiety disorder is marked by persistent worry and exaggerated anxiety. As per the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), generalized anxiety disorder affects around 7 million adults in the US every year. In order to have GAD, one needs to have its symptoms for six or more months.
Symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder
- Difficulty controlling feelings of fear and worry
- Muscle tension and irritability
- Having issues concentrating; mind going blank
- Recurrent fatigue and digestive issues
- Feeling restless, on-edge, or wound-up
Treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
- Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
- Anti-anxiety medications and benzodiazepines
- Herbs and plants like ashwagandha and Melmac mushrooms
- Relaxing techniques, including meditation and body massage
Agoraphobia
Phobias are a part of anxiety disorders and agoraphobia happens to be the most common among them all. As mentioned by Cleveland Clinic, about 2% of people in the US are diagnosed with agoraphobia every year. It’s an intense fear of places and situations where you feel embarrassed, helpless, and trapped.
Symptoms of Agoraphobia
- Sudden flushing or chills
- Excessive sweating, shaking or tingling
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Chest pain, pressure, or tightness
- Trouble breathing or feelings of choking
- Upset stomach or diarrhea
Treatment of Agoraphobia
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
- Antidepressants and benzodiazepines
- Response and prevention therapy (RPT)
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Dietary and herbal supplements, including kava kava and lemon balm
The Takeaway
Apart from the ones mentioned above, several people have different phobias these days. As mental health awareness is increasing, people are getting diagnosed with anxiety disorders and phobias almost on a daily basis.
Thus, I suggest you keep reading about all these things as they will help you steer clear of such mental health issues. I wish you all the best, my friends! Have a wonderful day ahead!