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By Amelia Kansa

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Some symptoms of panic disorder are
-Panic attacks
-Heart racing
-Feeling as though you can't breathe

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Reasons Why Someone Might Not Know They Have It

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Reasons Why Someone Might Not Know They Have It

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Two reasons why people might not realize they have panic disorder are
-They think they're having a heart attack
-They try to self diagnose what's happening and fail to do so correctly.

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Three risk factors of panic disorders are
-A history of it in a family member
-Use of drugs or alcohol
-A previous mental illness

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Three treatment possibilities for panic disorder are
-Psychotherapy (cognitive behavioral therapy)
-Antidepressants (Paxil, Prozac)
-Benzodiazepines (Klonopin, Xanax)

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Ways a Mental Health Professional can Help

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Ways a Mental Health Professional can Help

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Three ways a mental health professional can help are
-Identifying triggers
-Going through situations that might cause a panic attack
-Prescribing medicine to control symptoms

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Some negative consequences of letting panic disorder going untreated are
-Self harm and suicidal thoughts
-Social isolation
-Missing school or work

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-Over 40 million American adults have an anxiety disorder
-Most people with an anxiety disorder develop symptoms before the age of 21
-7% of American children have an anxiety disorder

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Everyone experiences anxiety. Speaking in front of a group makes most of us anxious, but that motivates us to prepare and do well. Driving in heavy traffic is a common source of anxiety, but it keeps us alert and cautious to better avoid accidents. However, when feelings of intense fear and distress are overwhelming and prevent us from doing everyday things, an anxiety disorder may be the cause.

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health concern in the United States. An estimated 40 million adults in the U.S., or 18%, have an anxiety disorder. Approximately 8% of children and teenagers experience the negative impact of an anxiety disorder at school and at home. Most people develop symptoms of anxiety disorders before age 21 and women are 60% more likely to be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder than men.

Symptoms

Anxiety disorders are a group of related conditions, and each with unique symptoms. However, all anxiety disorders have one thing in common: persistent, excessive fear or worry in situations that are not threatening. People can experience one or more of the following symptoms:

Emotional symptoms:

Feelings of apprehension or dread

Feeling tense and jumpy

Restlessness or irritability

Anticipating the worst and being watchful for signs of danger

Physical symptoms:

Pounding or racing heart and shortness of breath

Upset stomach

Sweating, tremors and twitches

Headaches, fatigue and insomnia

Upset stomach, frequent urination or diarrhea

Types of Anxiety Disorders

Different anxiety disorders have various symptoms. This means that each type of anxiety disorder has its own treatment plan. The most common anxiety disorders include:

Panic Disorder

Characterized by panic attacks-sudden feelings of terror-sometimes striking repeatedly and without warning. Often mistaken for a heart attack, a panic attack causes powerful, physical symptoms including chest pain, heart palpitations, dizziness, shortness of breath and stomach upset. Many people will go to desperate measures to avoid having an attack, including social isolation or avoiding going to specific places.

Phobias

Everyone tries to avoid certain things or situations that make them uncomfortable or even fearful. However, for someone with a phobia, certain places, events or objects create powerful reactions of strong, irrational fear. Most people with specific phobias have several triggers. To avoid panicking, someone with specific phobias will work hard to avoid their triggers. Depending on the type and number of triggers, this fear and the attempt to control it can seem to take over a person's life.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

GAD produces chronic, exaggerated worrying about everyday life. This can consume hours each day, making it hard to concentrate or finish routine daily tasks. A person with GAD may become exhausted by worry and experience headaches, tension or nausea.

Social Anxiety Disorder

Unlike shyness, this disorder causes intense fear, often driven by irrational worries about social humiliation-"saying something stupid," or "not knowing what to say." Someone with social anxiety disorder may not take part in conversations, contribute to class discussions, or offer their ideas, and may become isolated. Panic attack symptoms are a common reaction.

Other anxiety disorders include: agoraphobia, separation anxiety disorder and substance/medication-induced anxiety disorder involving intoxication or withdrawal or medication treatment.

Causes

Scientists believe that many factors combine to cause anxiety disorders:

Genetics. Some families will have a higher than average numbers of members experiencing anxiety issues, and studies support the evidence that anxiety disorders run in families. This can be a factor in someone developing an anxiety disorder.

Environment. A stressful or traumatic event such as abuse, death of a loved one, violence or prolonged illness is often linked to the development of an anxiety disorder.

Diagnosis

The physical symptoms of an anxiety disorder can be easily confused with other medical conditions like heart disease or hyperthyroidism. Therefore, a doctor will likely perform an evaluation involving a physical examination, an interview and lab tests. After ruling out a medical illness, the doctor may recommend a person see a mental health professional to make a diagnosis.

Using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) a mental health professional is able to identify the specific type of anxiety disorder causing the symptoms as well as any other possible disorders including depression, ADHD or substance abuse which may be involved. Tackling all disorders through comprehensive treatment is the best recovery strategy.

Treatment

As each anxiety disorder has a different set of symptoms, the types of treatment that a mental health professional may suggest also can vary. But there are common types of treatment that are used:

Read more about what specific treatment options are available on our treatment page.

Related Conditions

Anxiety disorders can be seen with other mental health conditions, such as:

Anxiety can often make these related conditions worse, so talk with a mental health care professional if anxiety begins to interfere on a daily basis.

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Everyone experiences anxiety. Speaking in front of a group makes most of us anxious, but that motivates us to prepare and do well. Driving in heavy traffic is a common source of anxiety, but it keeps us alert and cautious to better avoid accidents.

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Mental disorders are characterized by problems that people experience with their mind (thoughts) and their mood (feelings). They are not well understood in terms of their causes, but the symptoms of mental illness are scientifically valid and well known. Treatment - usually involving both psychotherapy and medication - for most types of mental illness and mental health concerns is readily available and, eventually, effective for most people.

The diagnostic criteria for mental disorders (also known as "mental illness") are composed of symptom checklists that primarily are focused on a person's behaviors and thoughts. These lists of symptoms have been summarized from current diagnostic criteria commonly used in the United States by mental health professionals (the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition). We've divided the disorders into three broad categories below: adult, childhood, and personality disorders; some disorders may fall under more than one category.

These disorder lists are in the process of being updated to reflect the changes from the latest edition of the diagnosis manual, the DSM-5.
Please keep in mind that only an experienced mental health professional can make an actual diagnosis. Learn more: About the DSM-5 or Looking for a DSM Code?

Adult Mental Disorders

Common Disorders

Dissociative Disorders

Sexual & Paraphilic Disorders

Sleep & Wake Disorders

Childhood Mental Disorders

Childhood disorders, often labeled as developmental disorders or learning disorders, most often occur and are diagnosed when the child is of school-age. Although some adults may also relate to some of the symptoms of these disorders, typically the disorder's symptoms need to have first appeared at some point in the person's childhood.

Personality Disorders

These disorders typically aren't diagnosed until an individual is a young adult, often not until their 20's or even 30's. Most individuals with personality disorders lead pretty normal lives and often only seek psychotherapeutic treatment during times of increased stress or social demands. Most people can relate to some or all of the personality traits listed; the difference is that it does not affect most people's daily functioning to the same degree it might someone diagnosed with one of these disorders. Personality disorders tend to be an intergral part of a person, and therefore, are difficult to treat or "cure." Learn more about personality disorders and personality traits ...

Other Mental Disorders & Concerns
Disclaimers & Use Restrictions:
This listing is for personal use in education or research only. This listing is not meant to replace professional advice, diagnosis, or care from a licensed mental health practioner; its sole intent is for patient education. If you believe you may be suffering from one of these disorders, please consult a mental health professional. The diagnostic criteria for mental disorders are summarized from the American Psychiatric Association's 2013 Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5).

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Mental disorders are characterized by problems that people experience with their mind (thoughts) and their mood (feelings). They are not well understood in terms of their causes, but the symptoms of mental illness are scientifically valid and well known.

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A wide range of mental health conditions affect mood, thinking and behavior and can make you miserable and cause problems in daily life.

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Three warning signs of depression in teens are
-Social isolation
-Trouble making or keeping friends
-Self harm or suicidal ideation

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Three warning signs of suicide in teens are
-Giving away prized possessions
-Self harm
-Talking about death a lot