What is Anxiety Disorder? Anxiety disorder is an illness in which a person experiences constant anxiety and worry, which often has no apparent cause. It is the most common mental illness in the United States. What Causes Anxiety Disorder? The cause, or causes, as there are probably more than one, of anxiety disorder have yet to be determined. But the illness appears to run in families. What are the Symptoms? -Headaches -Twitching -Fatigue -Sleeplessness/restlessness -Sweating/hot flashes -Nausea -Frequent need to use bathroom -Difficulty concentrating -Startled easily -Change in appetite How Can I Treat an Anxiety Disorder? You can treat anxiety disorders with therapy, medication, or both. Have your doctor (or pshychologist, or psychiatrist) help you find the treatment best for you, if you suffer from an anxiety disorder. Facts and Figures -There are many types of anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder -19.1 million US adults (ages 18-54) have GAD in a given year -Twice as many women as men suffer from an anxiety disorder -Anxiety disorders commonly accompany depression and eating disorders Associations and Support Groups Anxiety Disorders Association of America (11900 Parklawn Drive, Ste. 100 Rockville, MD 20852-2624 (301) 231-9350) National Anxiety Foundation (3135 Custer Dr. Lexington, KY 40517-4001 (606) 272-7166) http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Soc-Phob (here) Bibliography http://panicdisorder.about.com (here) http://open-mind.org/SP/Help/index.html (here) http://pueblo.gsa.gov/cic_text/health (here) www.mhsource.com/resource.mh.html (here)