Understanding General Anxiety and Panic Disorders

Understanding general anxiety disorder is important since it often leads to other issues and can interfere with regular daily functioning. It is characterized by chronic worry and fear over particular situations that should not normally warrant such a response. These worries are almost always irrational and cannot be controlled by normal means. Sufferers of general anxiety disorder live a life of constant worry that often has negative impacts on relationships, work, and health.

Some of the characteristics and symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder include trembling, muscle tension, dry mouth, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea, excessive irritability, and the inability to concentrate.

Panic disorder, while somewhat related to general anxiety disorder, is different. It is characterized by extreme and repeated episodes of panic. During these panic attacks, individuals are emotionally and physically crippled to the point of being extremely weak and fearful. These attacks can last anywhere from a few seconds to minutes.

Some of the characteristics of a panic attack include choking sensations, pounding heartbeat, feelings of pressure or pain in the chest, feelings of unreality, loss of sensation, sweating, trembling, and the fear of losing control.

For those with loved ones who suffer from general anxiety disorder, it’s important to understand when that anxiety has given way to a panic disorder. The easiest way to understand the transition is to look at the behavior of your loved one. When anxiety leads to repeated attacks or serious spells of acute fear, it’s possible your loved one has more than generalized anxiety. General anxiety disorder causes excessive worry and fear, but the outcome rarely causes extreme physical symptoms or attacks.

At Bridges to Recovery, we use a unique and internationally recognized treatment model to provide treatment for anxiety and panic disorders. If you believe you or a loved one suffers from a mental disorder that’s ruining your quality of life, it’s important to seek immediate help. For additional information and assistance, please contact us today. We would be happy to walk you through the process and explain our individualized general anxiety treatment options.