Posttraumatic stress disorder or PTSD develops after experiencing a traumatic life event such as a near death experience, sexual/physical assault, or even witnessing a violent act. What are the symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder? PTSD is characterized by the development of four symptoms following about a month after the traumatic event:        Reliving the event or experiencing related intrusive thoughts        Avoiding people, places, and objects that remind the individual of the trauma        An increase in negative feelings, thoughts, and moods associated with the event        Chronic hyper-arousal Other symptoms may include:        Nightmares        Flashbacks        Feeling unable to connect with loved ones        Depression        Feelings of guilt for the traumatic event        Irritability        Angry outbursts        Hypervigilance        Headaches        Disrupted sleep What causes posttraumatic stress disorder? While most people experience traumatic events in their lifetime, only 8% of men and 20% of women may develop PTSD. It is not understood why some people experience PTSD and not others. Genetic factors are thought to contribute as well as environmental and biological factors. Some believe that the hippocampus, which is responsible for making memories and dealing with stress, may be different in people with PTSD. Who is more likely to be affected?

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is the most common anxiety disorder. Approximately, 3% of adults in the United States have the disorder. GAD involves at least 6 months of extreme anxiety, and worry about everyday events. What are the symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder? These individuals may have difficulty controlling their worry. Their anxiety triggers at least 3 of the following:        a feeling of being on edge or restless        becoming tired easily        difficulty concentrating        irritable        muscle tension        difficulty sleeping. GAD is also associated with physical symptoms such as muscle tension, insomnia, and fatigue. Who is typically affected? GAD is twice as likely to occur in women as in men. It also often develops in patients with psychiatric disorders or obesity, a history of substance abuse or trauma, or those that are related to individuals with anxiety. What other conditions commonly occur with generalized anxiety disorder? GAD typically occurs along with other anxiety disorders, particularly panic and depressive disorders. Other possible anxiety disorders that may occur with GAD include social phobia , panic disorder , obsessive-compulsive disorder , acute stress disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder. Medical conditions are also common with GAD such as cardiac and pulmonary conditions.

Agoraphobia is anxiety and/or fear brought about by actual or anticipation of being in two of 5 types of public places. These places include public transportation, being in an open space, being in a closed space, being in line or a crowd, or being outside of the home alone. The fear arises from concern about displaying panic, or other distressing symptoms in public and being unable to exit the situation or receive assistance. What are the symptoms of agoraphobia? The anxiety and/or fear experienced with the situation are abnormally high for the actual risk of danger. This often leads those with agoraphobia to not leave their home alone or to avoid these situations completely. Agoraphobia can significantly impact daily living by limiting social interactions, attendance at work or limiting acceptable workspaces and impacting running errands. What causes agoraphobia? There are several factors that may contribute to the development of agoraphobia including comorbidity, genetics and stressful experiences. Risk factors include having a panic disorder or other phobias, responding to panic attacks with avoidance and extreme fear, stressful experiences, being especially nervous, and being related to someone with the condition. When does agoraphobia develop? Agoraphobia typically develops in late adolescence or early adulthood (the mid-20s), and can, unfortunately, become more severe over time.

Panic disorder is the re-occurrence of panic attacks. Panic attacks are sudden feelings of fear and lack of control that arise without reason or warning. They may occur a few times a year or several times a day. What are the symptoms of panic disorder? Symptoms of panic disorder are largely physical. These include chest pains, increased heart rate and difficulty breathing, dizziness, and a feeling of losing control. Some individuals also experience sweating, shaking, a choking sensation, nausea, chills, a pins and needles sensation, or feelings of depersonalization. What causes panic disorder? The cause of panic disorder is not well-defined. There is some evidence that it is linked to a chemical imbalance in the brain or genetic factors. Specifically, it is believed to occur in patients that do not have the proper mechanisms in place to prevent increases in serotonin, and those with a low level of endogenous opioids. Who is typically affected? Most individuals with panic disorder are women in their 20s. How long does panic disorder last? Like with some other anxiety disorders, they will most likely have it for their entire lives. What other conditions commonly occur with panic disorder? The presence of this disorder also increases the risk for several medical conditions including cardiovascular, respiratory and gastrointestinal issues.

Social anxiety disorder , or social phobia , is a fear of acting in a way or showing anxiety symptoms that will cause the sufferer to be humiliated or rejected by others. This fear or anxiety is often disproportionately greater than the actual likelihood of rejection or humiliation. Individuals with this condition underestimate their social skills, which lead to avoidance of social situations and suppression of emotional expression in order to reduce the chance of feeling rejected. What are the symptoms of social phobia? Social anxiety significantly impacts daily life. Individuals with social anxiety typically have fewer friends and are less likely to get married or have children. They may also avoid or quit jobs that require them to give presentations. These individuals typically make 10% less than the rest of the population. Children may perform worse in school. What causes social phobia? The cause of this disorder is likely to be a combination of biological and environmental factors, with biological factors only increasing the likelihood of developing the condition rather than the condition itself. Who is typically affected by social anxiety disorder? Social anxiety is one of the most prevalent anxiety disorders . Some studies have found it can occur in more than 1 of every 10 people.