Job Hazards

Anxiety Disorder

Every human being knows what it feels like to be anxious about a situation. Whether it consists of butterflies in your stomach before an athletic competition, tension that mounts when you have a run-in with your boss, or the way your heart beats through your chest when you are scared, anxiety is a part of everyday life.

Anxiety disorders are beyond your typical case of nervousness. In fact, they are illnesses that are usually based upon an individual's biological composition and life experiences. There are many variations of anxiety disorders, and each one has a unique makeup. Anxiety disorders can even be hereditary. Individuals who have an anxiety disorder may be unable to cope with situations that they face in everyday life. There are five kinds of anxiety disorders, including:

• Generalized anxiety disorder
• Panic disorder
• Phobias
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder
• Post-traumatic stress disorder

People with anxiety disorders may feel anxious almost all the time, but they also may not even be aware of what is causing the anxiety. Sometimes, these feelings may be so uncomfortable that they discontinue routine activities simply to avoid them. Even worse, these panic attacks may be so powerful that the victim becomes too frightened to move. Anxiety disorders occur more frequently than any other type of mental problem. Scientists from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) are currently involved in research trying to tie together anxiety disorders, their causes, and possible cures.

The general population is confused by anxiety disorders, finding it difficult to fathom why those suffering from them are unable to triumph based on sheer willpower alone. While simply hoping that the symptoms will disappear may not be effective for individuals suffering from panic disorders, there is treatment available that will get them headed down the right path.