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Occasional anxiety and
worry are a part of life. But when they disrupt the normal flow of life, work
and school are harder, family and social relationships suffer, and life is not
as enjoyable. Preoccupied by painful emotions and thoughts, you begin to feel
fatigued and hopeless, believing there is nothing you can do to change things.
You become depressed.
You are not alone, but in the company of millions of Americans and other people
throughout the world. You may have an anxiety disorder. They take several forms.
Do you.....
- Fear unwanted thoughts, mental pictures, or impulses (obsessions) that
trigger inappropriate, repetitive physical or mental activity (compulsions)? --
Read about Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
- Fear frequent, unexpected, intense anxiety attacks with physical sensations
that make you believe you're having a heart attack, losing control, or going
crazy? -- Read about Panic Disorder
- Fear being in situations or places that might be difficult or embarrassing
to leave, or where no help is available in the case of high anxiety or a panic
attack? -- Read about Agoraphobia
- Fear being judged by others or doing something embarrassing in public, that
causes you to avoid public situations and unfamiliar people? -- Read about
Social Anxiety Disorder
- Worry excessively and feel anxious about everyday things (finance, health,
employment, family) for more days that not for the last six months? --
Read about Generalized Anxiety Disorder
- Have emotional numbness, nightmares, social withdrawal, and flashbacks of
past traumatic events? -- Read about Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Have persistent and excessive fear of specific objects or situations that
are not dangerous but avoided at all times? -- Read the
Specific Phobia page
If you answered "yes" to any of the above, you may have an anxiety disorder.
The good news is that it's highly treatable.
Depression is a frequent consequence of unrelieved anxiety. It can be a
natural result of feeling helpless and hopeless about overcoming any persistent
problem. Depression makes you feel blue, irritable, tired, have lack of
interest, lose your appetite and have poor sleep. However, after starting CBT
you'll notice that as your anxiety fades your depression lifts.
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