What is referred to as anxiety disorder is not one particular psychological problem. This disorder comprises many variants with differences—often significant—between one another. Sufferers of this disorder include those who suffer phobia, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and situational anxiety. They are different because the way one of them occurs is different from the way the others occur. Phobia, for instance, is different from panic disorder because phobia symptoms occur only when the sufferers are exposed to some particular object or situation that they fear whereas panic disorder's symptoms occur often suddenly and without any known causes. Nevertheless, the symptoms of those disorders are more or less the same. This is why they are altogether categorized as different types of anxiety disorder.

The Particular Anxiety Disorder

There is, however, a particular mental problem that is called anxiety disorder. This is the name of a particular psychological problem and not a category of the aforementioned mental problems. Another popular name of this disorder is GAD (generalized anxiety disorder). This disorder is similar to panic attack in that their symptoms occur suddenly and that they may last for hours. Both disorders are, however, different because panic attack causes its sufferers to fear another panic attack whereas GAD causes its sufferers to worry about various life circumstances. People who suffer GAD often unreasonably worry about their money, their family, their marriage, and other important aspects of their life.

How to Identify Anxiety Disorder

This disorder is characterized by a number of symptoms, including restlessness, exhaustion and weariness, bad temper, insomnia, and muscle tension. Those anxiety disorder symptoms are usually experienced by adults. Although GAD is a disorder that is commonly found among adults, especially because it is related to fear of inability to cope with life circumstances, this disorder may also be suffered by children. Symptoms that are often suffered by children include abdominal distress, dizziness, headache, and restlessness. This disorder is more likely to be suffered by people who abuse particular substance, suffer stresses, and those whose parents also suffer it.

How to Treat Anxiety Disorder

There are various types of anxiety disorder treatment that are available today. This disorder can be treated medically by using such medications as SSRIs, MAOIs, Benzodiazepines, and Pregabalin. Caution is highly required when medical approach is used to treat this disorder because some of the drugs that are used during the treatment may cause dependence.
Another treatment that is also considered effective is therapy. Some psychotherapeutic methods, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, are proven to be effective in helping patients overcome their psychological problem. Through such therapy, patients are encouraged to think more optimistically and to see the world through positive viewpoint.
Children who suffer this disorder need special treatment that is different from that for adults. Although children may also undergo psychotherapy, administering antidepressant to them is considered risky and controversial. As an alternative, family therapy is used to help them escape from their mental problem. This therapy requires the entire family to help them get through their suffering and overcome their anxiety and fear. click here to learn more about anxiety and panic attack and how to overcome them