Of all psychiatric disorders among adults in the United States, anxiety disorders
are the most common. Approximately one in five Americans aged 18 or older will
experience symptoms of anxiety, panic, phobias or other conditions this year.
Although the causes are numerous - chemical imbalances, genetics, trauma or increasingly
high-stress lifestyles - anxiety can be successfully identified and treated by
a trained professional. It is important to seek professional help for anxiety;
if left untreated, it can often lead to other issues such as depression, agoraphobia
or drug and/or alcohol abuse.
Anxiety disorders are most effectively managed through either medication, therapy or a combination of the two. Specialized therapies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy or exposure therapy (for phobias) are a preferred treatment for some of these conditions.
Common anxiety disorders include:
