Anxiety Disorders: What They Are, and How to Manage Them

18.1% of Americans deal with an anxiety disorder each year. That's over 40 million adults ages 18 and older. Of those people, many do not know what they are dealing with, or how to manage what they are going through. While anxiety disorders are already difficult, failing to treat them can only make them worse. It's important for people to understand the resources and potential help at their disposal, so we want to help you with that. This roll curates information on the most common disorders, what they are, how to manage them, and why you are not alone in dealing with them.

Anxiety Disorders: What They Are, And How To Manage Them

18.1% of Americans deal with an anxiety disorder each year. That's over 40 million adults ages 18 and older. Of those people, many do not know what they are dealing with, or how to manage what they are going through. While anxiety disorders are already difficult, failing to treat them can only make them worse. It's important for people to understand the resources and potential help at their disposal, so we want to help you with that. This roll curates information on the most common disorders, what they are, how to manage them, and why you are not alone in dealing with them.

The Disorders

While there are many anxiety disorders out there, these are the most common and what they are.

  • The Types of Anxiety Disorders

    While there are many types of anxiety disorders, this article dives into quick explanations of the most common types people deal with.

  • Generalized Anxiety Disorder

    Generalized Anxiety Disorder often manifests as extreme worry, which can lead to trouble sleeping, tiredness, headaches, nausea, muscle tension, fear, and more. It affects nearly 6.8 Million people in America.

  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

    Obsessive-compulsive disorder is an anxiety disorder in which people have recurring, unwanted thoughts, ideas or sensations (obsessions) and is existent in approximately 1.2 percent of Americans. It can be a major stressor that has a negative impact on work capabilities and general living.

  • Panic Disorder

    People with Panic Disorder suffer through repeated attacks of fear. You may know these as Panic Attacks, which often result in shaking, the inability to feel like things will get better, and other psychological and physical sensations.

  • Phobias

    Phobias are the most wide-ranging of the disorders because they can manifest in so many different ways. Phobias are the irrational fear of something that is stronger than a basic fear. For example, arachnophobia is the fear of spiders. This is not your every day fear, but something that causes major stress/mental anguish.

  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

    Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a consistent mental, physical, and/or emotional shock stemming from something that happened in your life. It's prevalent in veterans, for example, but can happen to anyone who has suffered through something that shocked them.

  • Social Anxiety

    Social Anxiety is the fear of interaction and the fear of being unable to handle typical social interactions. It results in being intimidated by social settings such as parties and even general interactions such as conversations with friends out in public.

How to Treat Them

While some can cure their anxiety disorders, for many the trick is to manage them to the top capability possible. These resources should help.

  • Tips to Help You Manage Your Anxiety

    Rather than focusing on any one of the disorders, this resource looks at anxiety disorders in general and how to manage them. It includes thoughts from a psychiatrist, and is certainly worth a read to get a sense of how to help yourself.

  • Treating Generalized Anxiety Disorder

    Here are six steps to help you treat Generalized Anxiety Disorder. It's especially helpful as a step-by-step process, as if you can memorize the process, you can repeat it every time something comes up.

  • How to Treat OCD

    Treatments for OCD typically take the form of Cognitive Based Therapy and/or medication. Cognitive Based Therapy can be a helpful, natural approach for those trying to avoid medication. However, medication is certainly helpful in giving your brain the extra push to battle the thoughts.

  • A First Person Account of Curing Panic Disorder

    This first person account is a must-read for anyone with Panic Disorder. Not only does it lay out their personal solution in a comprehensive yet detailed manner, but it also should arm you with the knowledge that while it may not feel like it at times, things can always get better.

  • Treatment for Phobias

    From Exposure Treatment to Counter-Conditioning to Systematic Desensitization and more, this resource provides plenty of detail on the different approaches to treating and curing your phobias.

  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Treatment

    There are two primary types of treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) — psychotherapy and medications, nearly always used in conjunction. This resource dives into both and provides information that should help you determine which sounds best for you. Remember, always consult with a doctor.

  • Best Must-Know Treatments for Social Anxiety Disorder

    Social Anxiety Disorder is a common disorder people deal with, so there are many different approaches people take to treat it. Luckily, that means you have plenty of options at your disposal. Look through them in this link.

  • Helping Kids with Anxiety Disorders

    Amanda Rodriguez's son suffered an aggressive bout of strep throat that put him into kidney failure and left him with PANDAS (Pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections). Since being diagnosed, he has suffered from OCD and a tic disorder. His diagnoses inspired Amanda to learn as much as possible about helping children with anxiety disorders and their families cope and thrive.

  • Living Well With Anxiety

    Lauren Brown dealt with anxiety for as long as she can remember. In the world of psychiatry, anxiety is "a nervous disorder characterized by a state of excessive uneasiness." In her world, anxiety is an old friend. Not necessarily one she asked for, but she's there regardless. She used to listen to her and make life decisions based on the fears that grew from my excessive worry, until a few years ago. She was in my early 20's and thought, "this is no way to live," so she decided she would make all my decisions based on the things she loves rather than what she fears. The results were incredible, which is why she began to share her story with the internet.

Avoiding the Stigma

Many fail to receive treatment for their anxiety disorders because they feel they are weak for having one, or they are embarrassed to seek help. Here's why the stigma should not exist, and why you should make sure to take care of yourself.

  • The Stigma of Mental Illness Is Making Us Sicker

    There is certainly a stigma some feel and some even further regarding mental illness. It's essential that the stigma be stopped, as it is making some people sicker than they need to be.

  • Fighting the Mental Health Stigma

    Want to do your part to fight the stigma surrounding mental illness? These nine methods provide you with a nice place to start.

  • Psychologists Help, So Let Them

    Psychologists exist for good reason, and while some may leave you uncertain of whether or not you should get one, they are plenty helpful. Give yourself a better chance and consider getting one for yourself. This resource explains how they help.

  • How Psychiatrists Help

    Much like Psychologists, Psychiatrists are extremely helpful as well. This look at how a Psychiatrist goes about working and what they do for you provides you with the information you need ahead of finding a Psychiatrist.

  • Mental Health in Music

    Music helps bring artists and fans together. Numerous artists deal with mental illness much like their fans do, an unfortunate truth. However, even more unfortunate is both the stigma many artists and fans have to deal with, and how that stigma leads to many feeling alone and hopeless. Luckily, musicians are using their platform to spread awareness and hope more often than ever. Remember, you are not alone.