18.1 percent of the United States adult population suffers from anxiety disorder. It is among the most common mental illnesses in America and continues to effect approximately 40 million Americans. Girls are more at risk of developing anxiety and mood disorders as opposed to boys. This issue takes place in many areas of one’s life, affecting each individual differently. Many students can attest to experiencing some form of anxiety, whether it occurred during a test, game, or otherwise hazardous or fearful situation. In the way that nearly all people are allergic to grass to some degree, most people have experienced moderate to intense anxiety at some point.
Anxiety is usually first noticeable or prominent in children at the age of six, and can affect a person throughout their entire life. The disorder is hereditary and can be diagnosed without knowledge of a specific cause. Approximately one third of those facing anxiety disorders receive medical treatment for it due to the under reaction of symptoms and disregard for anxiety as daily stress. Behavioral therapy and medication have been prescribed to victims of the disorder in order to lessen the impact on one’s life, however, most people deal with the issue on their own due to a lack of knowledge about the subject.
There are four common types of anxiety: panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and phobias. Panic attacks are a familiar occurrence in the life of a person diagnosed with panic disorder, and are difficult to be dealt with. Panic disorder is twice as likely to affect women as it is men, and is often paired with depression. Many symptoms are present during a panic attack and vary for each individual. A lack of breathe, dizziness, fatigue, racing heartbeat, sweating, nausea, shaking, and numb or tingling limbs may affect the victim in a series of combinations. The physical detriments are not the only weakening compartment, as the mental aspect of a panic attack also takes a large toll on the victim. The fear leaving one’s body during a panic attack is significant and radiates terror at the strike of the first symptom. As reactions differ from person to person, the subject is likely to face the inability to move or uncontrollable muscle spasms. The unpredictability of a panic attack can be the most frightening aspect because of its appearance without warning.
Anxiety is also paired with many types of disorders, and can sometimes occur as a side effect of a larger problem. Anxiety and depression go hand in hand, overcoming the same victims as a result of one of the two’s presence. The stress of constantly worrying for no reason can lead one to become anxious, panicked, and paranoid, and consumes the victim on a daily basis despite resistance. Social anxiety stands as the fear from socializing with other human beings. This may stimulate depression because of a lack of human interaction and the feeling of loneliness. Phobias often develop from certain traumatic events that are created through an association between fear or anxiety and a specific subject. People effected by a phobia instantly react to this fear through anxiety and panicking, and in some cases, it may consume their life.
As a mental illness, it is difficult to distinguish the difference between daily stress and a diagnosis of anxiety. One must be aware of their problems when dealing with their mental health because of the gravity of the disorder. The symptoms of anxiety are often taken too lightly, which leads to a deficiency in medical and mental care. Although most people have experienced small forms of anxiety throughout points in their life, it is a very serious issue and should not be dealt with alone.
Skylar Binney is a Staff Writer for Pulse Magazine.