Help for anxiety disorders

Anxiety is part of the human condition -- we all worry and feel scared from time to time. Anxiety can serve as a useful trigger to remind us to get out of dangerous situations, or to prepare for anticipated challenging situations such as exams. Regardless of the source of anxiety, when it reaches a certain level it is experienced as unpleasant and consequently prompts us to take action to reduce it. As anxiety becomes more persistent and less connected to "real dangers," it shifts from "normal" anxiety to an anxiety disorder.\nThere are many anxiety symptoms, but they tend to be clustered in three categories. One group involves "mental" components such as worry, nightmares, panic and fears of death or loss of control. "Physical" symptoms of anxiety include sweating, trembling, hot flashes, chest pain and stomach upset. "Behavioral" aspects involve avoidance, such as avoiding tall buildings, attempts to control anxiety-producing situations or seeking reassurance that things are OK. Most anxious people experience a combination of symptoms from these categories. \nAnxiety disorders involve an imbalance between the situation and the degree of anxiety a person experiences. In generalized anxiety disorder, for example, the sufferer worries constantly about everything, even though most of the worries never materialize. In social phobia, a person worries inordinately about being criticized or evaluated negatively by others. All anxiety disorders, however, involve some degree of overestimation of danger, a sense of vulnerability and decreased confidence in one's ability to cope. \nAnxiety disorders are common and respond to a variety of treatments. Some anxiety disorders, such as phobias (unrealistic fears) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (repetitive unwanted thoughts and rituals) respond well to behavioral therapy. This therapy focuses on gradually increasing exposure to anxiety-producing situations. While it initially can increase anxiety, the ultimate goal is anxiety reduction. \nOther disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder, may respond to cognitive therapy. In this approach, the emphasis is on realistic evaluation of potential dangers and increasing one's confidence and ability to cope. Medications called "selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors" (SSRIs) are useful in managing long-term anxiety and are not habit-forming. Other fast-acting but potentially habit-forming medications can be helpful as short-term aids in dealing with stressful situations.\nAlcohol deserves special mention as many people turn to it to help them cope with anxiety -- like having a few drinks to reduce social anxiety before going to a party or on a date. While alcohol can have an immediate anxiety-masking effect, it can leave people feeling more anxious as it clears from their systems. This "rebound anxiety" can lead to an unhealthy cycle of overreliance on alcohol.