Anxiety– a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome. For some people, this might just happen every once in a while, like before finals or public speaking. But for over 19 million people in America, it’s a day by day feeling that never goes away. There are a lot of different types of anxiety disorders and each affect people differently. Although women are most susceptible to these disorders, many children also suffer from it. There are many ways to treat anxiety, although it will never fully go away.

There are many different types of anxiety. They are generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and social anxiety disorder. People who have generalized anxiety disorder have constant worry and anxiety symptoms for at least six months. It tends to run a chronic course and is often accompanied by another conditions, like depression, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and/or substance abuse. OCD is characterized by the presence of repetitive, unwelcome, anxiety provoking thoughts, impulses, or images known as obsessions. In about 80% of people with OCD, these obsessions lead to repetitive ritualized thoughts or actions to reduce the anxiety. People may spend several hours everyday preforming the rituals. OCD tends to takes place in children and young adults and is often associated with low self-esteem and depression. Panic disorder is distinguished by sudden, spontaneous attacks of terrifying anxiety, as well as other symptoms like the experience of terror, heart palpitations, and sweating. Fear of any more attacks may cause the person to avoid anything that could cause an attack, seriously constricting the person’s life. During an attack, the fear may cause a heart attack, stroke, or lead to any other medical problems.  Age, education, diagnosis, or another psychiatric conditions affect the degree to which people with panic disorder may be disabled by it. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is something that is seen in people who have suffered traumatic events, such as sexual abuse, combat, natural disasters, etc. Some symptoms are recurrent dreams and thoughts about the event, highly increased alertness and anxiety, as well as avoidance of anything that reminds the person of the event. People with PTSD often suffer from depression, substance abuse, and other anxiety disorders. Social anxiety disorder tends to develop in teens and is more common in women than men. Some symptoms include fear of embarrassment or being judged by others, an avoidance of social situations, and a fear of strangers. If someone with social anxiety finds themselves in any of these situations, they may experience high heart rate, nausea, sweating, shakiness, or blushing among other things. They may suffer from depression and there is a higher risk of alcohol abuse. Throughout the many different types of anxiety disorders are many similarities, but each one affects people differently.

Anxiety is the most common psychiatric illness in both children and teenagers, and is more common in women. 25% of children and teenagers are impacted by an anxiety disorder and can come about as little as three years old, but is usually diagnosed around ages seven to nine. Children with an anxiety disorder may be defiant, angry, and/or manipulative and might just be dismissed as spoiled or misbehaved. If a child isn’t treated or addressed, they may develop an alcohol or substance abuse problem when they become teenagers. Anxiety disorders can carry into adulthood if the ability to control fears and emotions isn’t developed. Some effects of the disorders on a child’s life include head and stomach aches, being bullied, the inability to make friends, inability to focus on schoolwork, becoming a perfectionist, and a  refusal to go to school. A child with an anxiety disorder may avoid things more than other children. Although there is no proof to prove it, there is a rise in the numbers of anxiety and anxiety disorders in children. This may be caused by in increase in homework and testing, as well as in increased amount of things on children and teenager’s schedules. Women are more susceptible to most anxiety disorders than men are. Data shows that women are more likely to face more damaging situations then men are. Research also shows that women are more attentive to threatening stimuli Over three million people stuffer from panic disorder and two-thirds of those people are women. Girls tend to be more empathetic and less assertive, but boys tend to be more assertive and less empathetic. That may have an affect on why the numbers are unbalanced. There is also a lot of social factors that affect girls and how they think of themselves, causing them to stress about little things such as how their clothes look or if they are acting like a girl rather than what they feel they should. There are a lot of people in the world with different anxiety disorders. This doesn’t exclude children or teens, and it doesn’t necessarily affect both genders equally.

Although there really isn’t a way to make anxiety go away forever, there are ways to treat it and make it seem as though it is gone. There are different types of therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, and there are different medications that can be taken. Therapy can help the patient talk through their problems and find a solution on how to cope with their anxiety. Medication can dull certain receptors, making them less active and reducing the worry that travels to them. But there are many reasons that people do not seek treatment. Shame and fear are feelings that cause people to not want to get help and medical costs of the therapy or medication can cause people who want to seek help unable to due to the fact that it’s just too expensive. There evidence that a person’s quality of life can improve, a reduction of medical costs as a result of the anxiety, and personal functioning can all improve due to treatment.

In conclusion, anxiety is not a discriminating disorder. It can affect anyone at any age. There are many different types of anxiety disorders, each alike and different in their own ways. Anxiety can affect anyone, but is most common in women. Children and teenagers can suffer from this disorder without any discrimination. Although people may be scared or ashamed of though thought of getting treatment, it has been proven to help people’s lives.

How do the different anxiety disorders differ from each other?

Why might it be hard for people with anxiety to face the things that might cause an attack?

Why is it that two people with the same disorder may have completely different symptoms?