The Basics

Let's start with the basics shall we.

I want to talk about definitions.  I want to really break down what Anxiety/Depression/OCD is.  Knowledge is power after all. 

Let's start with Anxiety, which is broken down into several different types but I'm going to hit on these 2:

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) describes GAD as "involving a persistent feeling of anxiety or dread, which can interfere with daily life."  People who suffer from GAD have a wide range of symptoms including feeling restless or on-edge, having difficulty concentrating, dealing with feelings of worry, and difficulty sleeping or staying asleep. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) "3.1% of the American population are affected by GAD".  

Panic Disorder 

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) describes Panic disorder as "having frequent and unexpected panic attacks". Panic Attacks are sudden periods of intense fear and discomfort even when there is no clear threat or trigger.  Individuals who have Panic Disorder will also experience uncomfortable physical symptoms like sweating, trembling, a racing heart/high heart rate, and often shortness of breath (hyperventilation).  The ADAA states that "2-3% of Americans experience Panic Disorder" and "it is twice as common in women than men".

Other Anxiety types include Social Anxiety Disorder and Phobia-related disorders (which also have subtypes).  There is a lot of great information at The National Institute of Mental Health regarding all of the anxiety types. 

For me, I am diagnosed with Panic Disorder, Anxiety, Depression and OCD and I also deal with Phobia related anxiety.  So, these are things that I will talk about more than others since I have personal experiences with them.  I have also dealt with a PTSD diagnosis in my adolescence which I will get into in a separate post. 

Ya'll, research is powerful.  Looking into my specific disorders as well as the science of the brain, has really helped me in my healing journey.  Learning about the parts of the brain that control anxiety responses, and the chemicals that we produce (or don't) during stressful/anxiety provoking situations, has given me the power to understand that I am not "crazy".  It has given me the tools to understand why my brain acts differently than others. 

A lot of my post will dig into the nitty gritty of Mental Illness and how it has affected me personally. 

Once again, I hope you enjoy this journey with me!

-Em




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