Anxiety Disorders
Do You Have Anxiety?
Take the time to figure out whether the anxiety you are experiencing is the same anxiety we all have occasionally or whether it is so persistent and severe that it may be an anxiety disorder. Click here to take a self-test!
So what is an anxiety disorder and who can have one?
Anxiety disorders are real, serious and treatable conditions that…
- more than 40 million American men and women are diagnosed with annually.
- almost seven percent of college students report having symptoms.
- can occur at any age but often will surface during a person's teens or twenties.
- are twice as likely to occur in women as men.
In fact, 30 percent of women will have some type of anxiety disorder during their lifetime.
Normal Anxiety or Anxiety Disorder?
Anxiety is hardwired into all of our brains. It is part of the body's "fight or flight" response. This prepares us to act quickly in the face of danger. It is a normal response to situations of uncertainty, trouble or feeling unprepared. However, if common everyday events bring on severe and persistent anxiety or panic that interferes with life, you may have an anxiety disorder.
What's the Difference?
Normal Anxiety | Anxiety Disorder |
Occasional worry about circumstantial events, such as an exam or break-up, that may leave you upset | Constant, chronic and unsubstantiated worry that causes significant distress, disturbs your social life and interferes with classes and work |
Embarrassment or self-consciousness in the face of uncomfortable social situations | Avoidance of common social situations for fear of being judged, embarrassed or humiliated |
Random case of "nerves" or jitters, dizziness and/or sweating over an important event like an exam or oral presentation | Repeated, random panic attacks or persistent worry/anticipation of another panic attack and feelings of terror or impending doom |
Realistic fear of a threatening object, place or situation | Irrational fear or avoidance of an object, place or situation that poses little or no threat of danger |
Wanting to be sure that you are healthy and living in a safe, hazard-free environment | Performing uncontrollable, repetitive actions, such as washing your hands repeatedly or checking things over and over |
Anxiety, sadness or difficulty sleeping immediately following a traumatic event | Ongoing and recurring nightmares, flashbacks or emotional numbing relating to a traumatic event in your life that occurred several months or years ago |