Last week was Mental Illness Awareness Week, and with the growing number of Americans suffering from mental illness, it is vital to understand the background and effects of each mental illness to better understand ourselves and those around us. This week, Anaheim Exclusivo will cover three mental illnesses that are quickly spreading throughout America.

Anxiety disorder, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, is defined as “specific psychiatric disorders that involve extreme fear or worry.” Anxiety does not come in only one form, and can be diagnosed for specific or broader situations. The ADAA lists the types of anxiety as including:

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
• Panic Disorder and Panic Attacks
• Agoraphobia
• Social Anxiety Disorder
• Selective Mutism
• Separation Anxiety

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is anxiety over a wide spectrum of situations. Someone suffering from GAD may perceive situations as more dire than they are to others, and may struggle to control their nervousness. GAD is a diagnosable disorder and can be distinguished by constant worry over a period longer than six months. Women are more prone to GAD than men. GAD can be treated through meditation, medication, and therapy.

Panic Disorder

Panic Disorder occurs when a person experiences sudden panic attacks without stimulation. Like GAD, Panic Disorder is more common in women than in men. Panic disorder may prevent victims from performing daily tasks that may not cause fear in those without it. Those who suffer from panic disorder may seek treatment through therapy.

Agoraphobia

Agoraphobia is the fear of being trapped in places they are afraid they cannot escape. This may include public spaces. Sufferers of agoraphobia live in fear of suffering a panic attack in a public place where they fear they will not be able to escape. The sufferer may also fear having to leave their home, causing some to never or rarely leave their homes. To lessen the effects of agoraphobia, victims may slowly train themselves to face their fears outside of their home little by little, and gradually enter new environments.

Social Anxiety Disorder

Social Anxiety Disorder is when a person has an intense fear of the perceptions of others in a social situation. Those who suffer from Social Anxiety Disorder may experience panic attacks, sweating, or heavy breathing when they are in a social situation that induces anxiety. The fear of being judged or disliked can prevent those who have Social Anxiety Disorder from interacting with others or taking on tasks that may require social interaction.

Selective Mutism

Selective Mutism is when a child chooses not to speak in situations where they are uncomfortable. Children with Selective Mutism may be afraid to speak or interact with others in situations that they are not familiar with. These children may speak at home, but not at school, and are predisposed to have anxiety, and may be sensitive to certain sounds or lighting. Children may receive therapeutic treatment for their condition, and the quicker a child is diagnosed, the better. Integrating children safely into new environments may also help the child’s condition to lessen.

Separation Anxiety

Separation Anxiety is when someone experiences great fear of being away from home or a person they have a strong connection with. Although separation anxiety is normal in infants and small children, it becomes an issue that should be treated once a child grows older than the normal ages for separation anxiety. Separation Anxiety may come with the fear of seeing a loved ones hurt or fearing they may not return, and may come with some physical side-effects, such as headaches or nausea.

As we go about our own lives, we should be aware of the battles those around us are fighting. Not all illnesses are visible, and not all illnesses are the same. If you or a loved one are experiencing what you believe to be an anxiety disorder, it is recommended you seek help through a therapist or psychologist to help you take back control of your life.

https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety

https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/generalized-anxiety-disorder-gad

https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/panic-disorder

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/agoraphobia/symptoms-causes/syc-20355987

https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/social-anxiety-disorder

https://selectivemutismcenter.org/whatisselectivemutism/

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/conditions/separation-anxiety

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/conditions/separation-anxiety