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Anxiety disorders and PTSD

• More information on anxiety disorders and PTSD

It's natural to feel worried or nervous at times, like before a work presentation or having an operation. But for people with anxiety disorders, everyday situations cause much more worry than most people feel. Often, people with these disorders know their anxiety is extreme, but they can't make the anxious feelings go away.

Types of anxiety disorders include:

• Generalized anxiety disorder
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Panic disorder
• Phobias

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is one of the more common anxiety disorders. Its symptoms include feeling like you are reliving a dangerous experience. Men who serve in combat may develop PTSD. But it also can come from living through any dangerous experience, like an accident or hurricane. Men who have PTSD may experience it differently from women. For example, women with PTSD may feel very jumpy, but men are more likely to feel angry or have problems with alcohol or drugs.

Social phobia, which makes a person feel very strong fear in social situations, also often affects men. It can come up when you need to speak in a large group, for example, and can cause both emotional and physical symptoms, like feeling sick to your stomach.

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More information on anxiety disorders and PTSD

Explore other publications and websites

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) — This website provides information on generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), including its signs and symptoms, treatment, and where to find help. It also links to publications about GAD from the National Institute of Mental Health.
  http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/generalized-anxiety-disorder-gad/index.shtml
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (Copyright © Mental Health America) — This publication provides statistical information on obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), including causes and treatments.
  http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/go/ocd
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) — This publication explains what obsessive-compulsive disorder is, including its signs, symptoms, and treatment options. It also links patients to support services and treatments.
  http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd/index.shtml
• Panic Disorder (Copyright © Mental Health America) — This fact sheet provides an overview of panic disorder, its symptoms, and possible treatment methods.
  http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/go/panic-disorder
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (Copyright © Mental Health America) — This fact sheet provides a detailed overview of post-traumatic stress disorder, including its causes, symptoms, and ways to recovery.
  http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/go/ptsd
• Social Anxiety Disorder (Copyright © Madison Institute of Medicine) — This website provides information on social anxiety disorder, including a quiz users can take to see if they might be affected. It also lists treatment resources.
  http://socialanxiety.factsforhealth.org/
• When Worry Gets Out of Control: Generalized Anxiety Disorder — This easy-to-read booklet explains what generalized anxiety disorder is, when it starts, how long it lasts, what the symptoms are, and how to get help.
  http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/generalized-anxiety-disorder.shtml

Connect with other organizations

• American Psychological Association
  http://apa.org/
• American Psychological Association
  http://www.apa.org/
• Anxiety Disorders Association of America
  http://www.adaa.org
• Mental Health America
  http://www.nmha.org/
• National Alliance on Mental Illness
  http://www.nami.org/
• National Institute of Mental Health, NIH, HHS
  http://www.nimh.nih.gov
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
  http://www.samhsa.gov/

Content last updated January 10, 2011.

Resources last updated January 10, 2011.

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