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Anxiety Disorders

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• Additional Resources

Anxiety is a normal reaction to stress, such as before a work presentation or a first date. But for people with anxiety disorders, common everyday situations cause fear or needless worry. Often, these people know their anxiety is not normal, but they can't make anxious feelings go away. Types of anxiety disorders include:

• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Phobias, including social phobia
• Generalized anxiety disorder
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Panic disorder

Anxiety disorders affect about 40 million U.S. adults each year. Overall, women with anxiety disorders outnumber men, but men suffer equally from OCD and social phobia. Anxiety disorders are ongoing, and can grow worse if not treated.

If you have symptoms of anxiety that don't go away, tell your doctor. A doctor can help determine whether the symptoms are due to an anxiety disorder, some other mental or physical illness, or both. Your doctor might refer you to a mental health professional for treatment. The good news is that treatment can help most people with anxiety disorders lead productive, fulfilling lives.

Additional Resources

Publications

1.   Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) — This Web site provides information on generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), including its signs and symptoms, treatment, and where to find help. It also links to publications about GAD from the National Institute of Mental Health.

   http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/generalized-anxiety-disorder-gad/index.shtml...

2.   When Worry Gets Out of Control: Generalized Anxiety Disorder — This easy-to-read booklet explains what generalized anxiety disorder is, when it starts, how long it lasts, what the symptoms are, and how to get help.

   http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/generalized-anxiety-disorder.shtml

3. Factsheet: Panic Disorder (Copyright © Mental Health America) — This fact sheet provides an overview of panic disorder, its symptoms, and possible treatment methods.

   http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/go/panic-disorder

4. Factsheet: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (Copyright © Mental Health America) — This fact sheet provides a detailed overview of post-traumatic stress disorder, including its causes, symptoms, and ways to recovery.

   http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/go/ptsd

5. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (Copyright © Mental Health America) — This publication provides statistical information on obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), including causes and treatments.

   http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/go/ocd

6. Social Anxiety Disorder (Copyright © Madison Institute of Medicine) — This Web site provides information on social anxiety disorder, including a quiz users can take to see if they might be affected. It also lists treatment resources.

   http://socialanxiety.factsforhealth.org/

Organizations

1.   National Institute of Mental Health, NIH, HHS
2.   National Mental Health Information Center, SAMHSA, HHS
3. American Psychiatric Association
4. American Psychological Association
5. Anxiety Disorders Association of America
6. Mental Health America
7. National Alliance on Mental Illness

= Indicates Federal Resources

Content last updated June 1, 2009.