Anxiety disorders are more common than you may think. Millions of individuals suffer silently every year, when help is available. If you or a loved one suffers from an anxiety disorder, know that there is help and relief out there for you. The key is to find a doctor and therapist that will listen to your concerns and help you on the road to recovery.

One of the trickiest things about anxiety disorders is the origins. Anxiety is a common part of every day life. It is the drive that keeps up safe from dangerous objects and situations. You may feel a bit of anxiety when crossing the street- this helps you pay attention to on-coming traffic and make it to the other side safely. Anxiety disorders develop when your mind has trouble distinguishing between extremes. You may become very anxious over common, non-threatening life events. Such “attacks” may leave you feeling confused, alone, and scared. If you feel that this may be the case with you, consult a doctor immediately. Don’t be afraid to seek help and treatment, because that is the only way that you can get better. Your doctor and therapist are trained to deal with anxiety disorders, and can help lead you in the right direction.

There are many different types of anxiety disorders that you should be aware of. It could be a generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, depression, panic disorder, or phobias. Many patients experience one or more of these disorders over the course of their lives. While it is still unknown as to why some patients develop anxiety disorders, it is understood that we all begin the same way. Every individual is born with a fight or flight response that is meant to keep them out of harms way. At some point, patients with anxiety disorders experience an alteration in perception or brain chemistry.

If you feel that you may have an anxiety disorder, you may be experiencing one or more of the following symptoms:

- Increased heart rate or tightness in the chest
- Feeling shaky, dizzy, or lightheaded
- Dry mouth
- Sick to your stomach
- Frequent urination or bowel movements

Mentally you may feel:

- Frightened
- That you are sick
- That people are looking at you
- That you may lose control
- That you must escape to a safe place

Once you have been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, there are plenty of things that you can do to help eliminate panic attacks. Your doctor may discuss medication options to help improve the chemical imbalance present in your brain. This coupled with therapy has been very successful. In therapy you will discuss different triggers for your anxiety disorder, and work on ways to eliminate those triggers. Discussing your condition with friends and family members will also help improve your success rate. Once they understand that certain social situations trigger your panic attacks, they can help you avoid those areas until you are comfortable again. There is a lot of work involved in treating an anxiety disorder, but if you set your mind to it, success is imminent.

About the Author

Todd Williams is a freelance health writer and contributing author to Anxiety Net - a site providing free information on anxiety disorder and panic attacks.