Do you worry all the time?
Do you constantly worry about things, no matter how big or small?

Do you have headaches and other aches and pains for no reason?

Are you tense a lot and have trouble relaxing?

Do you have trouble keeping your mind on one thing?

Do you get crabby or grouchy?

Do you have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep?

Do you sweat and have hot flashes?

Do you sometimes have a lump in your throat or feel like you need to throw up when you are worried?

If you answered yes to some of these questions, you may have an anxiety disorder.

Most people experience feelings of nervousness before a significant event, such as a big examination, a workplace presentation, a first date with that very special someone or a feeling of fear as you walk down an unfamiliar dark street. Normal anxiety is protective in nature and can also be stimulating. However, some individuals experience bouts of obsessive thoughts, flashbacks of traumatic events, tormenting panic attacks, haunting nightmares or numerous, alarming physical symptoms on a daily basis. Anxiety disorders are illnesses that can fill people’s lives with overwhelming anxiety or fear that is chronic, unremitting and can progressively grow worse if left ignored or untreated.

Anxiety disorders, as a group, are the most common mental illnesses in America, says the National Institute of Mental Health. About 19 million American adults experience these disorders each year. Anxiety disorders consist of panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, phobias and general anxiety disorder.

Panic disorder
Panic disorder represents recurring episodes of severe fright or uneasiness that strike often and without warning. This type of anxiety disorder can present physical symptoms, including chest pain, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, abdominal distress, feelings of emptiness and fear of dying.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder
A person plagued by the urgent need to engage in certain rituals, or tormented by unwelcome thoughts or disturbing images, may suffer from obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Most people can identify with having some of the symptoms of OCD, although the illness is diagnosed when repeated, unwanted thoughts or compulsive behaviors seem impossible to stop or control, consume at least an hour a day and interfere with daily life.

Post-traumatic stress disorder
Post-traumatic stress disorder occurs when a person has experienced or witnessed a traumatic event or ordeal, such as a terrorist attack, war, natural disaster, rape or other criminal assault, child abuse or a car accident, and has persistent symptoms like nightmares, flashbacks, numbing of emotions, depression, feelings of anger or irritability, and the tendency to be easily distracted or startled.

Phobias
Phobias are divided into two different types: social phobia and specific phobia. People with social phobia have an overpowering and disabling fear of breakdown, embarrassment or humiliation in social settings, which can cause an avoidance of many potentially pleasurable and meaningful activities.

People with specific phobias experience extreme, crippling and unfounded fear of something that poses slight or no real danger. This type of fear can lead to avoidance of items or situations and can cause people to unnecessarily restrict their lives.

General anxiety disorder
General anxiety disorder (GAD) is described as having constant, exaggerated, worrisome thoughts about the regimented activities of daily living, lasting for a period of six months or longer. A person with GAD stays worried all the time, fears the worst will happen and cannot relax. They will also experience physical symptoms, such as fatigue, trembling, muscle tension, headache or nausea. Most often, GAD starts when a person is still a child or teenager, although it can start in adulthood as well. It is reported that more women than men experience this particular disorder.

It is common for an anxiety disorder to accompany depression, eating disorders, substance abuse or another anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders can also co-exist with other illnesses, such as cancer, high blood pressure, heart disease, irritable bowel syndrome, thyroid conditions and migraine headaches.

Anxiety disorders are real medical problems, just like heart disease or high blood pressure. Scientists have shown that anxiety disorders are often related to the biological makeup and life experiences of the individual, and they frequently run in families.

Unfortunately, misconceptions about mental illnesses like anxiety disorders still exist. Numerous people believe mental illness is a sign of individual weakness, and for that reason the symptoms and situations are often trivialized and left untreated. Most people misunderstand anxiety disorders and other mental illnesses and think individuals should be able to overcome the symptoms through absolute willpower.

Wishing away the signs and symptoms of anxiety disorder or depression does not work – but the exciting and powerful news is that effective treatments are available for depression and anxiety disorders.

If you or someone you care about might be suffering from an anxiety disorder or depression, a confidential assessment and assistance is available at INTEGRIS Decisions Adult Day Treatment program.

The INTEGRIS Decisions Adult Day Treatment program is an affiliate of INTEGRIS Mental Health, one of the state’s largest providers of mental health services. INTEGRIS Mental Health offers a complete family of services provided by highly qualified care professionals in inpatient, outpatient and clinical settings.

TO LEARN MORE
For more information on services available, call the INTEGRIS Mental HealthLine at (405) 951-2273.

INTEGRIS Health 3300 N.W. Expressway, Oklahoma City, OK 73112 (405) 949-3011 | HealthLine: (888) 951-2277