OTHER DISORDERS

Panic Disorder - this illness has repeated instances of intense fear that occur frequently and without a warning being given. Physical symptoms can include pounding or racing of the heart, chest pain, dizziness, shortness of breath, feelings of unreality, abdominal distress resulting in nausea and diarrhea, and the fear of dying. It should be noted that it is possible to have one or two panic attacks during one’s lifetime without being a victim of the disorder.

Phobias - The two primary types of phobias consist of social phobia and phobia surrounding a specific thing. People who have social phobia suffer an overpowering and disabling fear of embarrassment, scrutiny, or humiliation while in a social setting, like being on a date or at a party, or participating in a work-related activity. This causes a person to avoid most possibly pleasant and activities that are meaningful. People with a specific phobia usually experience the disabling, extreme, and irrational fear that something harmless is a danger. This fear results in the avoidance of things like animals or situations like going outside or flying and can result in people unnecessarily limiting their lives.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder - This disorder is characterized by repeated, unwanted thoughts or compulsive behaviors like constant hand washing that seems impossible for the sufferer to stop or control.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - this disorder is typified by persistent symptoms that occur after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event like a rape or other criminal attack, the horrors experienced in war, child abuse, vehicle crashes, or natural or manmade disasters. The sufferer is likely to suffer from vivid nightmares, flashbacks, the numbness of emotions, depression, and feeling angry, irritable, or distracted and being easily startled. Family members of the victims of any of the above triggers can also develop this disorder.