According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, anxiety disorders are the most common mental illnesses in the United States, affecting 40 million adults, or 18% of the U.S. population. Anxiety disorders are treatable, but many seek help in the form of prescription medication. What if there was a more natural way to treat anxiety? Recent research suggests that there is.
The exact cause of anxiety disorders is still being studied, but researchers believe that many of these disorders are caused by a combination of factors, including changes in the brain and environmental stress. Studies have shown that severe or long-lasting stress can change the way nerve cells transmit information from one region of the brain to another. Other studies have shown that people with anxiety disorders have changes in certain brain structures that control memories linked with strong emotions, and trauma may trigger an anxiety disorder.
Understanding Anxiety
Feeling anxious is an emotion that most people experience from time to time. In someone suffering from an anxiety disorder, the feeling of anxiousness is so overwhelming that it can interfere with their ability to lead a happy life. There are several types of anxiety disorders:- Panic Disorder - People with this condition have feelings of terror that appear suddenly and repeatedly with no warning.
- Social Anxiety Disorder - Also called social phobia, this involves an overwhelming worry and self-consciousness about everyday social situations.
- Specific Phobias - These are intense fears about a specific object or situation, such as a fear of heights or enclosed spaces.
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder - This is an excessive, unrealistic worry and constant tension, even if there is nothing to provoke anxiety.
