Fear is acknowledged to have an important place in our lives, but it should not be allowed to take control over us. We must learn how to manage these feelings, and not let them lead to irrational behaviors. Anxiety disorders can include a whole range of problems such as social phobia, generalized anxiety, agoraphobia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, separation anxiety, panic disorder, and more. These can arise from a variety of causes including childhood trauma, stressful life events, or genetic factors. An adult who suffers from any type of anxiety disorder may experience physical symptoms or panic disorders with no specific symptoms.
A less common, though equally distressing anxiety disorder, is obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). A person with OCD typically has recurring, intrusive, and distressing concerns—the obsessions that cause fear, worry, and anxiety. If these concerns can’t be suppressed or ignored, they might lead to repetitive behaviors — the compulsions that make people feel better, but only temporarily. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), meanwhile, involves unwanted memories of a traumatic experience, such as being sexually assaulted or witnessing someone else get hurt. These experiences can trigger flashbacks, nightmares, and emotional problems, including feelings of extreme anger or guilt seriously affecting mood, behavior, and lifestyle.
