Q: How many different types of anxiety disorders are there?
Marla Ahlgrimm: There are four primary categories in which doctors group anxiety disorders. Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, social phobia, and specific phobia. People with GAD may find they worry excessively about day-to-day issues such as family, work, and money. Panic disorders cause sudden attacks of terror, despite the lack of danger. An individual with a social phobia may get embarrassed easily and be very self-aware and self-conscious in public. Specific phobia disorders are, as the name suggests, an innate fear of an object or situation.
Q: Who gets anxiety disorders?
Marla Ahlgrimm: There is no specific face that defines a typical anxiety disorder sufferer. Around 40 million adults and teens in the United States present with an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives, many with symptoms beginning around kindergarten. Women, perhaps because they seek help more often, are diagnosed with anxiety twice as often as men.
Q: What causes anxiety?
Marla Ahlgrimm: Anxiety may be a genetic disorder. It may also be triggered by hormonal changes relating to the menstrual cycle or menopause. Some women and men experience traumatic events, including sexual assault or posttraumatic stress syndrome that can lead to chronic anxiety and other mental health concerns.
Q: How is anxiety diagnosed and treated?
Marla Ahlgrimm: Often, anxiety is diagnosed based on self-reported symptoms. Some people experience physical side effects of anxiety including dizziness, upset stomach, hot flashes, rapid heart rate, and shortness of breath. A doctor or nurse will complete a thorough medical history evaluation before making the diagnosis. Treatment varies depending upon the type of anxiety but may include a combination of medication and counseling.
