Overview of symptoms of anxiety disorders, types of anxiety disorders and anxiety disorders treatment.

That first date, an important job interview, the big speech, a critical test . . . times when most people feel a little anxious. Sweaty palms and "butterflies" in the stomach during challenging situations are normal. Anxiety disorders, however, are medical illnesses that differ dramatically from normal feelings of nervousness. The symptoms of these anxiety disorders often occur without warning and make the simplest of life's routines sources of nearly unbearable discomfort.

What Are Anxiety Disorders?

Anxiety disorders are the most common of emotional disorders, annually affecting more than 20 million Americans (approximately one in nine). Symptoms of anxiety disorders can include:

• Overwhelming feelings of panic and fear

• Uncontrollable obsessive thoughts

• Painful, intrusive memories; recurring nightmares

• Nausea, sweating, muscle tension, and other uncomfortable physical reactions

Anxiety disorders differ from normal feelings of nervousness, as the symptoms often occur for no apparent reason and do not go away. Rather than functioning as a call to action, these alarming reactions can make everyday experiences sources of potential terror. If left untreated, anxiety disorders can propel people to take extreme measures (such as refusing to leave the house) to avoid situations that may trigger or worsen their anxiety. Job performance and personal relationships inevitably suffer as a result.

Fortunately, these illnesses generally respond well to treatment, and the majority of patients receiving treatment experience significant relief from their symptoms. Unfortunately, many people with anxiety disorders do not seek treatment because they do not recognize their symptoms as a sign of illness or they fear the reactions of co-workers, family, or friends.

Types of Anxiety Disorders

Panic Disorder

The core symptom of panic disorder is the panic attack, an overwhelming fear of being in danger, during which the individual may experience:

• Pounding heart or chest pain
• Sweating, trembling, or shaking
• Shortness of breath or sensation of choking
• Nausea or abdominal pain
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Feeling unreal or disconnected
• Fear of losing control, "going crazy," or dying
• Numbness
• Chills or hot flashes

Because these attacks occur unexpectedly and seemingly without reason, people with panic disorder often first believe that they are having a heart attack.

Detailed information on panic disorder

Phobias

A phobia is an uncontrollable, irrational, and persistent fear of a specific object, situation, or activity. The fear experienced by people with phobias can be so great that some individuals go to extreme lengths to avoid the source of their dread. There are three types of phobias:

• Specific phobia - An extreme or excessive fear of an object or situation that is not harmful under general conditions. People with specific phobias know that their fear is excessive, but they are unable to overcome the emotion.
• Social phobia (also called social anxiety disorder) - Significant anxiety and discomfort related to fear of being embarrassed or scorned in social or performance situations (e.g., public speaking, meeting people, or using public restrooms). Most people experiencing social phobia try to avoid situations that provoke the dread, or endure them with much distress.
• Agoraphobia - The fear of experiencing a panic attack in situations from which escape may be difficult or embarrassing. The anxiety of agoraphobia is so severe that individuals typically seek to avoid the situations altogether. Untreated, agoraphobia can become so debilitating that a person may refuse to leave the house.

Phobias are diagnosed only when the specific fear is excessively upsetting or significantly interferes with normal daily activities.

Detailed information on phobias