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Better Understanding Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety is a normal reaction to stressful life events or conflicts arising from having to make difficult choices. However, when anxiety persists for months, occurs suddenly for no apparent reason, or interferes with an individual’s ability to function, an anxiety disorder may be present.
Impact of Anxiety and OCD
Left untreated, distress created by an anxiety disorder can grow and create misery in a person’s life. Anxiety disorders often accompany other physical or mental illnesses, including alcohol or substance abuse. Anxiety disorders are often associated with poor sleep, irritability and sadness, and low self-esteem. Anxiety disorders are responsible for missed days at work, absences from school, and avoidance of activities that a person would otherwise find enjoyable and rewarding.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a potentially disabling condition that strikes both children and adults. It affects both men and women in equal numbers. The defining characteristics of OCD include unwanted and uninvited thoughts, images, feelings, and sensations that trigger strong fears or a discomfort response. These images, thoughts, feelings and sensations are called obsessions. In order to reduce the discomfort caused by the obsessions, the individual with OCD attempts to use countering thoughts, behaviors, and psychological numbing. These attempts to reduce and eliminate the distress are identified as compulsions.
Obsessive Compulsive Anxiety Disorder (OCD) and anxiety disorders inflict a staggering toll on sufferers and families.
Fortunately, there are proven, effective treatments for anxiety disorders that can be used alone or in combination to alleviate symptoms. OCD and similar disorders are treatable and do not have to prevent sufferers from living meaningful, fulfilling lives.
Nationally-renowned psychiatric programs within Sibcy House at Lindner Center of HOPE
help individuals learn to take scientifically proven steps designed to free them from the grasp of anxiety disorders or OCD.
Causes of Anxiety Disorders
Although doctors are still determining the exact causes for anxiety disorders, most believe that anxiety disorders and related mental health problems may result from a complex interaction of genetic, medical, psychological and psychosocial factors.
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