Depression often coexists with other illnesses that may precede the depression, follow it, cause it, be a consequence of it, or a combination of these. It is likely that the interplay between depression and other illnesses differs for every person and situation. Regardless, these other coexisting illnesses need to be diagnosed and treated.

Depression often coexists with eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and others, especially among women. Anxiety disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, social phobia and generalized anxiety disorder, also sometimes accompany depression.^15,16

Women are more prone than men to having a coexisting anxiety disorder.¹⁷ Women suffering from PTSD, which can result after a person endures a terrifying ordeal or event, are especially prone to having depression.

Although more common among men than women, alcohol and substance abuse or dependence may occur at the same time as depression.^17,15 Research has indicated that among both sexes, the coexistence of mood disorders and substance abuse is common among the U.S. population.¹⁸

Depression also often coexists with other serious medical illnesses such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, HIV/AIDS, diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, thyroid problems and multiple sclerosis, and may even make symptoms of the illness worse.¹⁹ Studies have shown that both women and men who have depression in addition to a serious medical illness tend to have more severe symptoms of both illnesses. They also have more difficulty adapting to their medical condition, and more medical costs than those who do not have coexisting depression. Research has shown that treating the depression along with the coexisting illness will help ease both conditions.²⁰

Self-Help Tips for Treating Anxiety Disorder with Natural Remedies

There are other ways that anxiety disorder sufferers can do on their own to treat their illness, such as the natural and non-drug remedies outlined in this article.  While these remedies are not substitutes for professional opinions and treatments, they may be used in conjunction with or as a supplement to the therapy and medication that a doctor may already prescribe.

The purpose of using natural remedies and turning to self-help tips for the treatment of anxiety disorder is to give the patient a certain amount of control in dealing with this illness.  Many natural remedies are also gentler and easier to integrate into everyday routines while also promoting overall bodily and mental health.

Here are some of the self-help tips and natural remedies with which to manage anxiety disorder:

Change your diet

Food can affect the body in many ways and the proper diet can help ease certain symptoms of anxiety disorder.  Many of the physical symptoms that a person suffers from may be the result of vitamin and mineral deficiency.  As such, it is important that a balanced and sensible diet be implemented.

Intake of certain foods such as caffeine, nicotine and salt should also be controlled.  Caffeine and nicotine are stimulants and can increase the adrenal response of the body.  This reaction has the potential to cause nervousness, agitation, insomnia and anxiety.  Salt should also be avoided or taken in moderation.  It decreases the amount of potassium in the body, a mineral that is essential for the normal functions of the nervous system.

Take vitamin supplements

Certain vitamins and minerals aid the body in performing at its best.  Some of them are quite helpful in fighting certain symptoms of anxiety disorder naturally.  These include B-complex vitamins, magnesium and calcium.  By providing the means with which to help the body relax and function properly, certain physical symptoms of the disorder are eliminated.

Use traditional herbal medicines

Some herbs have been used for many years as treatment for some forms of anxiety disorder.  Chamomile tea, for example, is known to calm nerves and help in relaxation.  Other herbs such as St. John’s wort, skullcap and hops are also quite common in herbal tonics.

A caveat: there is very little scientific evidence to prove that these herbs are as effective as reported.  When using herbal medicines, find out exactly what the side effects are and purchase only from reputable herbal shops.  It is also extremely important not to combine herbal medicines with any prescription drugs, especially anti-depressants.

Try aromatherapy

Aromatherapy has been in use for thousands of years and is still considered as one of the best natural ways to induce relaxation and relieve stress, frustration and anxiety.  Some scents and herbs that are used for this purpose include lavender, bergamot, frankincense, lime, jasmine, ylang ylang, sandalwood and cypress.

Relax with self-hypnosis or meditation

Self-hypnosis and meditation have been known as very effective ways of relaxing the body and clearing the mind.  As treatment for anxiety disorder, meditation and self-hypnosis help reduce associated symptoms such as increased heart and respiration rate, blood pressure and muscle tension.

Meditation, self-hypnosis and other relaxation techniques can also induce better and deeper sleep and decrease incidents of headaches, migraines and other physical discomfort.  A 20 to 30-minute session performed daily can help attain a general feeling of well being and ease, allowing an anxiety disorder sufferer to be in control of his responses to anxiety attacks.

Structured problem solving

The problem with anxiety disorders is that it is an illness that needs to be healed from within.  You already have all the powers of control.  All you have to do is to put yourself together long enough to determine how you can actively solve the problem.

Learn to break a problem into smaller parts.  Determine how each part may be solved and then perform a solution.  By breaking a problem down into manageable components, you will realize that it’s not too big or that it’s not threatening at all.  This technique helps manage milder forms of depression and generalized anxiety disorder.

Find a support group

Even non-drug therapies used for the treatment of anxiety disorder also include family groups and support groups.  At a time when an illness can be overwhelming, it is very important that a person who suffers from anxiety disorder should have a support network of family, friends and medical practitioners he can trust and depend on for the duration of his treatment.  He can also get in touch with community organizations that offer support and counseling.

Treating Anxiety Disorder: Medication Vs. Therapy

An anxiety disorder is a very troublesome mental illness because it is very distressing and can impact a person’s normal behavior and coping ability in day-to-day situations.  It has the potential of completely changing a person’s life and strips him of opportunities and chances for career advancement and in developing healthy social relationships.  It also severely limits his perception of his surroundings and keeps him living in unhealthy fear and worry.

How anxiety disorder is diagnosed

A physician will obtain a personal and medical history of the patient.  Unlike most physiological or medical conditions, anxiety disorder cannot be diagnosed using blood tests, blood pressure and other physical examinations.  It can be determined using a thorough interview where a doctor asks the patient several questions pertaining about his condition.  Medical conditions or the possibility of substance abuse should be ruled out first before the presence of an anxiety disorder is considered.

The purpose of a diagnosis is also to come up with a list of the specific criteria associated with different types of anxiety disorders.  This is very important to establish because it determines what type of medications and/or therapies can work best.  Failure to properly diagnose the specific anxiety disorder a person has can cause some significant problems.

There is no such thing as a ‘cure’ for anxiety disorder because its cause is not physiological.  However, there are treatments that help in managing the illness and taking care of its symptoms.  It is absolutely necessary that treatment for anxiety disorder be administered as early as possible.  If not, the illness can become chronic and more difficult to treat.  In fact, some anxiety disorder in advance stages can be resistant to treatment.

There are several methods used in the treatment of anxiety disorder and they can be grouped into two major categories: therapy and medications.

The use of therapy in treating anxiety disorder

Depending on the specific type of anxiety disorder a person suffers from, different therapies may be used.  Cognitive behavioral therapy, also known as CBT, is one of the most common treatment methods used in anxiety disorders.  The basis of CBT is in the connection of behavior symptomatic to the disorder that is associated with and caused by a pattern of thoughts and beliefs.

For example, a person with agoraphobia might think, “The train’s doors are closed and locked.  I can’t breathe.  I’m going to die in this train.”  Such negative thoughts, which usually have no actual basis, can in turn trigger negative thoughts that produce negative behavior.  By teaching a patient to handle his apparent fear with training, reality testing, cognitive challenging and restructuring, he can actually manage his fear and later on, totally eliminate it even when faced with a similar situation.

Behavior therapy, on the other hand, uses exposure to promote desensitization of an individual.  By training an individual to control his thoughts and redefine what he believes are dangerous and scary, he is able to control or manage his fears.  He might also combine behavior therapy with relaxation techniques including controlled breathing to help him manage his anxiety.

The use of medications in treating anxiety disorder

Again, there is no absolute cure for anxiety disorder and even when medications are prescribed, they will not address the mental illness itself.  Instead, they will help an individual cope with the physical symptoms that anxiety disorder causes.  Common medications include anti-depressants (like imipramine and benzodiazepine) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SSRIs (like fluoxetine, paroxetine and sertraline).  Prozac and Zoloft are some of the brand names of these drugs.

Since these are drugs, expect some benefits and risks.  A doctor will be able to explain what the advantages are and the side effects of different drug treatments if there are any.  It is important to understand that medications should be treated as short-term courses of treatment only and should not be considered as the only and ultimate solution to the disorder.

Medication vs. Therapy

Anxiety disorder is a psychiatric illness and involves the mental functioning of an individual.  To treat the behavior that results from this disorder, psychotherapy is the foremost and most natural choice.

Medications are only used to treat physical manifestations of the illness.  For example, drugs may be taken to help relax the muscles and prevent feelings of tension or to bring down the heart beat to a normal rate.  Medications are prescribed to address physical problems for the short term.  They are never used alone and are instead prescribed in combination with therapy to produce an effective long-term treatment.

Find Out If You Have Anxiety Disorder

Anxiety disorder can take on many forms and can extend beyond social boundaries.  It is a disorder that has been recognized for hundreds of years and is now considered and treated as a psychiatric illness.  Milder forms of anxiety disorder affect about 25% of Americans.  They are those who exhibit a less severe form such as fear of snakes, dogs and insects.  However, there is also about 25% of the population who have to undergo or are currently undergoing treatment as a result of their anxiety disorder.

What is anxiety disorder?

An anxiety disorder is any of a group of psychological health problems that affect how people behave in certain situations and alters how they perceive things.  It can manifest itself in different forms such as social phobia, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder.  If a person does not seek treatment, the symptoms can result in depression.

I feel fearful and anxious sometimes.  Does this mean I have anxiety disorder?

Not all feelings of anxiety can be considered as a mental disorder.  It’s quite normal for people to feel anxious or scared sometimes and these are actually good signs of your mind’s natural ability to cope with certain situations.

Feeling anxious or fearful is part of every normal human being’s ‘fight-or-flight’ reaction especially when faced with threat, danger or unknown situations.  This is the normal reaction you’ll feel during emergencies like fire, earthquakes, physical or emotional threats, disasters or other stressful events.

You should only consider feelings of anxiety as a possible disorder if there is no logical reason for their occurrence.  You should also be concerned once they become irrational, excessive and ongoing.  Feelings of anxiety can constitute a disorder if they also interfere with a person’s behavior and normal functioning.

What are the signs that I may have anxiety disorder?

Only a professional can diagnose whether or not you have anxiety disorder.  Even before that, he should rule out any other physiological or medical causes that may have caused certain symptoms to occur.  Other than those mentioned above, certain physical and mental reactions can constitute anxiety disorder including at least four of the following:

Extreme and prolonged bouts of panic attacks

Fear of a panic attack

Avoidance behavior

Trembling

Increased heart rate

Hyperventilation or shortness of breath

Nausea

Sweating

Fainting

Choking

Let’s review. Other than these physical symptoms, there are also other symptoms specific to a certain type of disorder.  These are:

Social phobia – a deep fear of situations that involve social contact with no apparent or logical reason.  A person may not be able to function normally in situations where he has to deal with other people, afraid that he might be humiliated or rejected.  To cope, he might withdraw or avoid opportunities to socialize.

Panic disorder – this disorder is characterized by frequent debilitating periods of panic attacks that affect approximately 2% of Americans.  It is only considered a disorder if panic episodes occur at least four times a month over a long period of time.

Post-traumatic stress disorder – occurs after the experience of a highly stressful or traumatic event.  It can manifest immediately after the trauma or it may take months or years to appear.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder or OCD are involuntary impulses, thoughts or behavior that are usually manifested as repetitive rituals like excessive showering, obsessing over the arrangement of objects, hand washing, etc.  Usually, people who have OCD are quite aware of what they are doing.

Generalized anxiety disorder – this is characterized by excessive worrying and feelings of anxiety over everyday activities such as family, friends, health or work.  People with GAD have very little control over their feelings, if at all.  Episodes should have occurred many times over a period of six months before it is diagnosed as GAD.

Phobia – can manifest itself as excessive and irrational fears of certain objects or situations.  Most phobias are the result of other types of anxiety disorders that have not been treated.  These can include claustrophobia and agoraphobia.

Questions to ask yourself

If you feel you have anxiety disorder in any form, it would be best to seek the help of a professional.  Some of the symptoms associated with the disorder may be caused by health problems that need medical attention such as epilepsy, heart conditions, asthma, menopause or thyroid problems.

However, here are some questions you might want to ask yourself to determine whether you are at risk or not:

-       Do I spend a lot of time worrying?  Is there anything specific I am worried about?

-       Do I have little or no control over my feelings of anxiety and worry?

-       Do I have difficulty sleeping?

-       Has there been a noticeable change in my eating and sleeping habits?

-       Do I feel depressed on most days?

-       Have I been using drugs or alcohol increasingly?

-       Am I often irritable, restless, easily provoked or agitated?

-       Has my behavior affected my family, friends, colleagues, work and regular activities in a negative way?

If your answer to most of these questions is yes, it’s probably time to seek the help of a doctor.  You cannot, on your own, judge the severity of your disorder and there are certain medications and psychotherapies that you may not have access to unless you seek professional help.

Anxiety disorder is a treatable psychiatric illness.  It is best to seek treatment when it is still in its early stages so you can be assured of quicker results.  It will take time and patience to help you eliminate the symptoms of this illness but it is quite possible to experience some positive results within a span of 3 to 6 months.

Current Anxiety Disorder Research: What’s Being Done and Why They Should Matter

Anxiety disorder is a mental illness on which a lot of research and studies are still being performed to fully understand how it works and how to treat it.  We have grown by leaps and bounds since anxiety disorder was first observed and recorded hundreds of years ago and yet, we are still probably at the tip of the iceberg in terms of fully understanding what goes on in the brains of people who suffer from this illness.  Here are some of the most recent studies and researches being done for the treatment of anxiety disorder:

What are the recent studies or findings regarding medications used for anxiety disorder?

Generally, anxiety disorder is treated with medication, psychotherapy (behavioral or cognitive) or a combination of both.  Some researchers are performing a clinical trial that tries to examine how effective these treatments are when used either separately or together against obsessive-compulsive behavior, one of the common forms of anxiety disorder.  Researchers also hope to determine how to reduce the relapse rate that rises when drug therapy is stopped.

On medications, a new drug called buspirone has shown promise as an anti-anxiety medication.  However, research is still ongoing on whether it will perform better if used with anti-depressant drugs that have an effect on serotonin.

How do hormones affect anxiety disorders?

To a certain degree, some hormones seem to affect certain forms of anxiety disorder, such as post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD.  People diagnosed with the illness have shown to have low levels of cortisol, a stress hormone.  On the other hand, they have extremely high levels of norepinephrine, epinephrine.

Researchers believe the levels of these hormones in the body causes a person to feel anxiety even after some period of time has passed since the occurrence of the stressful event.  High levels of CRF or corticotropin releasing factor might also be the reason why it is so easy to startle people with PTSD.  Researchers hope to find ways to regulate the imbalances in the hormones and manage symptoms.

What about brain imaging technology?

Brain imaging technology along with techniques using neurochemical tests, have been used to treat anxiety disorder.  NIMH (National Institute of Mental Health) has used the same technology to be able to observe a living brain and note changes in its parts such as the cortex and the amygdala.  Through controlled observation, scientists will be able to determine whether activity in the brain is abnormal and how certain areas are affected by therapies or medication.

Brain imaging technology has figured significantly recently.  Recent studies conducted on the brains of people with obsessive-compulsive behavior using magnetic resonance showed that their brains contained considerably less white matter than normal subjects.  This indicates that the abnormality in the brains of OCD patients is more widely distributed than it was earlier believed.

Is it possible to predict or prevent the occurrence of mental illness?

Part of research conducted in the field of psychiatry involves prevention efforts.  This focuses on trying to understand how mental illnesses such as anxiety disorders develop and how they can be prevented at certain points.

By knowing how mental illnesses begin, researchers hope to be able to perform interventions at significant points during the course of the disorder.  They also hope to use the newest advances in research performed in the fields of biomedicine, cognitive and behavioral sciences to aid in their efforts for prevention.

Is there a possible genetic pre-disposition for anxiety disorder?

A 2001 study made by the American Journal of Psychiatry seems to show that anxiety disorder in the form of depression and panic disorder run in families.  Children whose parents have been diagnosed or are suffering from anxiety disorder are more likely to develop the disorder themselves.

The study also shows that children may be exposed to specific disorders that produce specific risks.  For example, parents who suffer from a panic disorder may increase the risk of their children developing not only panic disorder but also agoraphobia.  Parents who suffer from depression increase the risk of their children developing social anxiety disorder, disruptive behavior and depression.

While the study shows that children in households where parents have some form of anxiety disorder are at risk, it doesn’t prove whether they are genetically pre-disposed to the illness itself.

However, the study of whether anxiety disorder and other mental illnesses are affected by genetics does not end there.  A project called the Human Genetics Initiative hopes to be able to find the genes responsible for mental illnesses by compiling a registry of all families with a history of bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and other mental illnesses.  By finding a common gene, they may be able to find out whether mental illness can be passed on genetically or not.

How does this study affect treatment?

This study reiterates the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of anxiety disorder.  People in the initial stages of an anxiety disorder must be treated before the illness becomes chronic.  By then, there is a possibility that it will be too advanced to respond to treatments.  Through this study, researchers and psychiatrists hope to be able to develop newer methods and techniques to prevent anxiety disorders in children before they even begin.

Claustrophobia, Its Symptoms and Treatments

Claustrophobia is a form of anxiety disorder where a person exhibits an extreme and unreasonable fear of small or enclosed spaces.  During an attack, both physical and emotional reactions may be experienced.  Claustrophobia is usually characterized by feelings of being trapped and having no means to find an exit or a way out of a location.

About one in 63 Americans has suffered some form of claustrophobia in his life while others have the disorder as a chronic condition.  It is not clear what causes claustrophobia, but people who suffer from it find that it runs in their family.  The first experience of claustrophobia usually occurs in early childhood or adolescence and develops from there.  It usually disappears when a person reaches adulthood.

Claustrophobia is a disorder that can be overcome.  If not, it can be effectively managed.  If left untreated, it can limit normal day-to-day, social, professional and personal activities.

Who are most at risk of developing claustrophobia?

As a form of anxiety attack, claustrophobia is usually the result of repeated episodes of anxiety when a person is within an enclosed space or locked room.  If he is not able to manage his fears effectively and choose to avoid similar situations, there is a great chance he will experience another attack with more severity.  If he has a family member who suffers from claustrophobia, he may also have the potential to develop the disorder.

What are the symptoms of claustrophobia?

The symptoms usually mimic those that people with anxiety disorder suffer from: trembling, hyperventilation, sweating, dizziness, fainting and feelings of panic and terror.  When in an enclosed room or space, people with claustrophobia compulsively try to escape, look for an exit or begin to feel fear once the door is closed.  They may also consciously try to avoid riding elevators, planes, trains and closed cars.  In its mild form, claustrophobia may also compel a person to keep to exits or doors when in a crowd.

How is claustrophobia treated?

Depending on the severity of the disorder, one or a combination of treatments may be used to either manage or eliminate claustrophobia.  Probably the most common treatment used is psychotherapy, which involves counseling to help a person overcome his fear of enclosed spaces and handle situations that trigger a claustrophobic attack.

Another common way to deal with claustrophobia is by using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, also a treatment used to manage other types of anxiety disorders.  CBT involves teaching a person to control his thinking process when exposed to situations that induce fear and panic.  By controlling his thoughts, a person suffering from claustrophobia learns to change his reaction from fear to calmness.

Often, CBT exposes a person to an actual ‘trigger’ situation to help him get used to the feeling and practice managing his reactions.  This is called ‘flooding’ and the exposure lasts until the person is able to manage his phobia and the feeling of panic passes.  Once he realizes that nothing actually harmful happened to him, he will feel more confident the next time the same situation occurs.

While the exposure may be controlled (the person who has claustrophobia either has someone with him in the room or has someone guiding him as he tries to handle himself within the room), the situation is real to the person and he can apply the coping techniques taught to him to prevent him from giving in to extreme reactions.

Another form of psychotherapy is counter-conditioning which is used when a claustrophobic person cannot handle flooding.  He is still exposed to trigger situations, only this time, the exposure is done gradually and he copes with his feelings by using visualization and relaxation techniques.

If neither flooding nor counter-conditioning is effective, a technique called modeling may be used.  Another person or ‘model’ is assigned to confront a trigger situation without exhibiting fear and a claustrophobic person is encouraged to emulate the same behavior.

Another form of treatment is with the use of medication, using drugs to treat depression or anxiety.  These drugs will not cure claustrophobia, but they help the person regulate physical symptoms associated with the disorder.  These types of drugs, for example, can help bring back an increased heart rate to normal or prevent sweating and agitation by helping the body to relax.  This form of treatment is most effective if used in combination with psychotherapy.

Everything You Need to Know About Panic Disorder

What is Panic Disorder?

Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder that can be treated successfully. It is characterized by attacks of fear and terror that are usually accompanied by sweatiness, pounding heart, faintness, dizziness and weakness. During these attacks, the people with panic disorder feel flushed or chilled and their hands tingle and feel numb. They may also experience chest pains and nausea. These attacks usually produce a a sense of unreality and fear of losing control and impending doom.

People with panic disorder are usually fearful of the physical symptoms mentioned above. That is already a sign of people having panic attacks. Sometimes, they think they are losing their minds, having heart attacks or about to die. They cannot predict where or when their attacks will occur so these in-between episodes are full of worries and anxieties. Some of them dread the embarrassment from the next attack that they quit their jobs and opt to stay at home instead.

Panic attacks can take place even when asleep. An attack usually lasts 10 minutes or maybe less but there are some signs that an attack can last longer. These panic disorders affect 6 million American adults. It is more common in women than men. The symptoms show in late adolescence or in early adulthood but not all who experiences a panic attack eventually develop panic disorder.

Those who have redundant and full-blown attacks are disabled by their condition. Therefore they should seek treatment before they isolate themselves from society. There are some cases wherein the attacks can lead to trauma. For example, say an attack took place in an elevator. Soon enough, the person may become afraid of getting into elevators.

Panic attacks can restrict the lives of people suffering from this disorder. It also makes them avoid normal daily activities like driving or grocery shopping. About 1/3 of people with panic disorder stay at home and are not able to confront their fears unless they are with their spouse or someone they trust.

Panic disorders are accompanied by other anxiety disorders, or depression. It can also be associated with substance or alcohol abuse. These conditions must be treated separately because the person will not be able to heal from his panic disorder if he is still induced in alcohol or drugs.

What are the causes of Panic Disorder?

Panic disorder is said to run in families. This means that it runs in the genes. But there are also cases where people who do not have history of the disorder still develop it.

The other biological factors are stressful life occurrences, surroundings and state of mind that is exaggerated. These all play a part in triggering panic disorder. Usually, the first attack is due to physical illness. Then the attacks that follow after that are due to stress or side effects to a certain kind of medication. Those who tend to take on too many responsibilities may also suffer attacks.

Studies that have been conducted on animals and humans show results that there are specific brain areas involved in panic disorder. Fear is the emotion that evolves whenever there is danger. There is a stimuli in the brain that causes a fast and protected response whenever this emotion arises.

The body’s fear response is coordinated by the amygdale. This is a small structure that is located inside the brain. Eating disorders are also linked to have rooted from panic attacks as well. Other mood disorders can also lead to panic disorders. These are the clinical depression and bipolar personality disorder.

Panic attacks are caused by stimulants. Examples of stimulants are caffeine and nicotine. These can already induce the attacks in people suffering from panic disorder. Chemicals like carbon monoxide can also trigger the attacks. The response varies from person to person.

How do you treat Panic Disorder?

Panic disorder can be disabling but it can also be regulated. Because of the troubling symptoms, these are more often than not mistaken as mental instability. This misconception prevents people who suffer the disease to go see their physicians.

The treatment for panic disorder is medication. There is also a kind of psychotherapy termed as cognitive-behavioral therapy that greatly assists those who have the disorder. The person must go to a mental health professional (psychiatrists, professional counselors, social workers and psychologists) he trusts for better results.

College Students Use Alcohol as Way of Coping with Social Anxiety

It’s no secret that alcohol use is alive and well on college campuses across America. New research studies investigate a largely unexplored area — the relationship between heavy drinking and social anxiety.

According to a recent report by the National Institute of Health (NIH), anxiety is a psychological risk factor associated with heavy or problem drinking among college students.

Along with anxiety and other psychological factors, the NIH report suggests that an impulsive personality and a family history of alcohol abuse may be additional risk factors for problem drinking.

People with social anxiety, students and non-students alike, can benefit from these findings by taking action to eliminate risk factors for problem drinking and address their anxiety.

Social anxiety is the most common type of anxiety disorder and it affects 15% of Americans. Social anxiety, also known as social phobia, is diagnosed as overwhelming anxiety, fear, and self-consciousness in everyday social situations.

It triggers a host of physical symptoms, anxious thoughts, and avoidance behaviors.

People that suffer from social anxiety disorder usually realize that their fears are unfounded or extreme, but still feel unable to control their fears that others are looking at or judging them.

What You Can Do

Ask yourself why you drink. Do you drink to relax, to relieve stress, or to help alleviate social fears and anxieties? If any of these reasons describe you, you may be using alcohol in a vain attempt to cope with the root cause — social anxiety.

Drinking large amounts of alcohol may mask the problem for a few brief hours. However, once the mask comes off you are faced with yourself, and your anxiety returns stronger than ever.

In fact, problem drinking hinders you from making positive strides forward in healing because instead of one problem to overcome, you now have two problems, social anxiety AND alcohol abuse.

Related articles to anxiety disorders

• What is Anxiety? (psychcentral.com)
• Alcohol and Anxiety: Alcohol Aggravates Anxiety Symptoms (thindependence.com)
• Young adults ‘anxiety overload’ (news.bbc.co.uk)
• What is the difference between shyness and social phobia? (liveactivecultures.net)