Anxiety Disorders (USA Today Health Reports: Diseases and Disorders)

"More than 16 percent of U.S. teens and adults suffer from some type of anxiety disorder caused by biological, genetic, psychological, and/or environmental factors. Anxiety is the brain and body's natural fear response to perceived threat, thus preparing us for fight or flight. Hyman and Pedrick's book is a valuable and informative resource for young adults in identifying specific disorders. Descriptive case studies are presented, and young readers will be able to identify a multitude of the most common anxiety disorders described in these real life scenarios. Person-in-situation examples powerfully illustrate the features of each disorder, enabling readers to easily identify themselves or others. Anxiety disorders are accompanied by their own idiosyncratic symptoms, all clustering around irrational fears based upon faulty beliefs and perceptions. Panic disorder, social phobia, and a variety of other phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder, agoraphobia, PTSD, and generalized anxiety disorder are described. Prolonged anxiety often results in vulnerability to depression. The importance of early identification of symptoms to modify the possibility of long-term or major depression is emphasized. Concise and understandable descriptions of the brain, neurotransmitters, genetics and the use of medications (SSRI's and benzodiazepines), is presented toward the goal of explaining neurobiological functioning. Beyond medical strategies, many other treatment options and methods are examined, such as embarking upon therapies that have been proved effective, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, stress management, behavioral modification, exposure and response therapy, and exercise. This book offers a strong message of hope and mastery for those suffering from brain-based anxiety, as the brain can undo what it created." --Science Books & Films