Is Anxiety Curable?

Anxiety is a normal reaction to everyday stress. When anxiety starts to interfere with daily life, treatment by a mental health professional may be necessary. There are many different kinds of anxiety disorders and they are all treatable.

Causes

• According to the American Psychiatric Association, the exact causes of anxiety disorder are not known. Anxiety disorders could be a result of genes and environmental stresses.

Types

• According to Freedom From Fear, the most common anxiety disorders are generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and social phobia. (See Resources section for description of each disorder.)

Treatment

• Treatment for anxiety disorder as diagnosed by a mental health professional is therapy and sometimes medication depending on the disorder and the severity of the disorder. Treatment also depends on the will of the patient to overcome the anxiety.

Cure Rate

• According to the American Psychiatric Association, treatment can significantly reduce anxiety symptoms but it is not always a complete cure for anxiety. Overcoming anxiety depends on the patient and the severity of the symptoms of the disorder.

Considerations

• People with anxiety disorders often suffer from depression or substance abuse also. Patients being treated for anxiety should seek treatment for other mental health or substance abuse in order to overcome anxiety.