The Many Faces of Severe Anxiety Disorder

Nearly everyone will experience anxiety at some point in their lives.  It’s a normal emotion.  However, sometimes the levels of anxiety can be higher than normal, and in cases where those levels are extremely high, it is said that the person has a severe anxiety disorder.

Anxiety Is Not a Disease or Illness

Most of the time, a severe anxiety disorder is linked to a mental illness, substance abuse, or some sort of traumatic event.  Here are some types of severe anxiety conditions:

Agoraphobia – This is a fear of leaving the house.  It often comes from a feeling that you are more “in control” as long as you’re in the safety of your own home.  While it is true that there are a lot of dangerous things out in the world, being in your home is not necessarily safer than being in public.  Agoraphobia panic disorder can be overcome with persistence and the realization that there really is no “safe zone.”

Other Phobias – These can include anything from being afraid to fly to being afraid of spiders or other animals.  A phobia is essentially an extreme fear a specific situation or circumstance.  Oftentimes phobias only become a real problem when they begin to interfere with a person’s ability to function and live their life normally.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder – OCD is a condition in which often characterized by intrusive and unpleasant thoughts that cause anxiety.  Many times a person with OCD will engage in repetitive and compulsive actions to try to ease the anxious thoughts.  Many times OCD intrusive thoughts can be better managed by learning to stop obsessive thoughts and manage “what if” thinking better.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder – PTSD is a severe anxiety disorder that comes after a traumatic experience.  Though it is commonly associated with soldiers that have experienced the horrors of war, other violent and intense events can also contribute to PTSD.  This disorder is sometimes characterized by “survivor guilt,” re-experiencing the traumatic event in dreams, disassociation from reality and society, and recurring disturbing thoughts.

Depression – It is no surprise that a sever anxiety disorder can often come with panic attacks and depression.  Often, the depression is not a true depression, but rather a frustration that comes with having to cope with the anxiety disorder.  To feel like your life is getting smaller or that you are confined to “living in a box.”

Sometimes anti-depressants are given, and though they can be helpful, it is important to remember that in many cases the depression is a side effect of anxiety.  In these instances, the medication is not the solution.  It merely allows you to cope with life better so that you can address the root cause of the anxiety.

If you have a sever anxiety disorder, try to seek professional help.  Support groups can be highly effective.  It can feel like you are completely alone with your problem and finding others that have similar problems can make you feel more connected to others and more normal.

Discover the Truth About Anxiety and How to Eliminate it