Psychological Anxiety Disorders

People experience anxiety in different ways and for a variety of reasons that are all determined by their individual experiences. Anxiety accounts for the highest percentage of mental disorders in America, especially in such hard times. According to The Anxiety Disorders Association of America, 6.8 million people in the U.S. will suffer from an anxiety disorder in their lifetime. Symptoms of anxiety vary in severity and from person to person. Some patients will experience mild symptoms including nervousness, sweating and fear, but others have full blown attacks that include heart palpitations, dizziness, heavy breathing and fainting. Psychologists are charged with determining the specific type of anxiety a patient is experiencing by getting to the root of the symptoms. 

The American Psychological Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders lists several types of anxiety starting with the most common form called General Anxiety Disorder or GAD. Patients who suffer with this type of anxiety struggle with chronic worry that won’t go away despite the fact that it is irrational. Symptoms of General Anxiety Disorder include chronic worry, insomnia, gastrointestinal maladies, lack of concentration, irritability and muscle tension in the back and shoulder area. 

Another form of anxiety is Social Anxiety Disorder, which involves the fear of group situations and everyday socializing.  This disorder centers around the fear of rejection from others and causes people to become withdrawn and avoid interaction.

After someone experiences a traumatic event such as an accident, he or she may get Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Feelings of helplessness and agitation are accompanied by flashbacks, nightmares and insomnia.  Soldiers often get this disorder after spending time in a war zone.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder deals with obsessions and disturbing thought patterns. Someone with this disorder may have recurring dark thoughts or fantasies. Other patients may experience the urgent need to perform certain functions such as hand washing, hoarding and knob turning to stop anxiety.

Panic Disorder is usually considered the worst form of anxiety for sufferers. In addition to the already unpleasant symptoms of worry and muscle tension, patients with Panic Disorder experience intense fear that borders on hysteria. Physical symptoms include hyperventilation, rapid heartbeat, sweating, dizziness, fainting, and more that lasts about 10 to 15 minutes at a time.

Anxiety is often treated with a combination of medications and psychotherapy, and can be managed with time.

Drawing upon our more than 30-year history of granting degrees in professional psychology, Argosy University has developed a curriculum that focuses on interpersonal skills and practical experience alongside academic learning. Because getting a degree is one thing. Succeeding, quite another.