ANXIETY and PTSD
Anxiety disorders are a group of mental conditions that can severely impact the quality of life. These include panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, agoraphobia, specific phobia, social anxiety disorder, post traumatic stress disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Many who suffer from anxiety disorders have co-morbid psychiatric conditions, such as depression, bipolar disorder, or other conditions. Traumatic experiences can lead to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, which is particularly prevalent among veterans, first responders, survivors of physical, emotional or sexual abuse, and childhood neglect or abuse. Self-medicating is common among people who suffer from anxiety disorders, as well as people who suffer from depression and mood disorders. That could explain why there is such a high correlation between depression/anxiety sufferers and substance abuse. Anxiety disorders are usually treated similarly to depressive disorders - with medications and talk therapy. But when people have social anxiety, it can be hard for them to commit to therapy and group therapy because of the sense of anguish it produces. There are a number of different therapies that are employed to treat anxiety disorders. Below is a link to a well written source of information from The Anxiety Disorders Association of America.
