Anxiety Disorders

Most people experience feelings of anxiety before an important event such as a big exam, business presentation, or first date. Anxiety disorders, however, are illnesses that fill people's lives with overwhelming anxiety and fear that are chronic, unremitting, and can grow progressively worse. Tormented by panic attacks, obsessive thoughts, flashbacks, nightmares, or countless frightening physical symptoms, some people with anxiety disorders even become housebound. Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in America; more than 19 million Americans are affected by these debilitating illnesses each year.

Treatment Options

• Antidepressant medications may take several weeks to be effective.


• Therapy has multiple aims, from helping the person to develop new ways of thinking and resolving current and/or past conflicts.


• For most people, the combination of therapy and medication is the most effective treatment.