There are several types of anxiety disorders that includes:

• Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
• Panic disorder (panic attacks)
• Phobias

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is also a form of anxiety disorder. OCD involves thoughts (obsessions) and rituals (compulsions) that are repeated over and over, and interfere with your life. People with OCD are unable to control or stop the obsessions and compulsions.

The cause of an anxiety disorder remains unknown. It is believed that factors such as genetics, brain biology and chemistry, stress, and your environment may play a significant role in the development of an anxiety disorder.


The primary treatment for anxiety disorders involves a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and medications. However, certain medications that can help with the symptoms associated with anxiety are used with caution (i.e., benzodiazepines), as these medications can lead to dependence. Therefore, psychotherapy and other medications should b considered first.

If you are one of the more than 19 million teens and adults in the United States who have depression, the feelings do not go away. They persist and interfere with your everyday life. Depression can be situation, seasonal, or chronic.

Symptoms can include:

• Hopelessness
• Prolonged feeling of sadness
• Sleeping problems
• Irritability or moodiness
• Appetite changes
• Lack of energy
• Lack of interest in things or others
• Lack of motivation
• Poor self care
• Constipation or digestive problems
• Headaches and body aches

Depression is a disorder of the brain with a variety of possible causes, including genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors. Depression can happen at any age, but it often begins in teens and young adults. It is much more common in women. 

Treatment depends on the severity, but medications and psychotherapy are generally the first line of treatment. For severe or treatment resistant depression, TMS therapy is the most effective form of treatment for long-term relief.

An eating disorder may include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or binge-eating. Depending on the type of eating disorder you suffer from, you may eat much less or much more than you need.

Eating disorders are medical conditions; and are not a lifestyle choice, but involve a psychiatric condition. They affect your body's overall health both mentally and physically, and proper nutrition is the primary concern. Eating disorders can lead to serious health issues, such as heart and kidney problems, or sometimes even death. But with proper psychiatric and medical care, there are treatments that help a person overcome this serious condition.

The exact cause of an eating disorder is not known. However, researchers believe that eating disorders are caused by a complex interaction of factors, such as genetic, biological, behavioral, psychological, and social factors.

Individual treatment plans for eating disorders are tailored to the patients needs and involve a team of care providers including medical doctors, a psychiatrist, a therapist experienced in eating disorders, and nutritionists.

The behaviors related to a personality disorder can create serious problems in a persons life, specifically with relationships and work. People with personality disorders have difficulty with effectively handling stress and other problems or situations that often arise throughout life. They tend to have stormy relationships with most people and often do things that end in poor relationships with others.

The cause of a personality disorder is unknown, but genes and childhood experiences may play a significant role.

The symptoms of each personality disorder are different. Symptoms can mild or severe; however, people with a personality disorder typically fail recognize that they have a problem. In fact, to them, their thoughts are normal, and they often blame others for their problems. They may try to get help because of their problems with relationships and work.

Treatment usually includes long-term, intensive psychotherapy. For some individuals medications may help.

It's normal to feel afraid during and after a frightening and/or traumatic situation. Fear triggers a "fight-or-flight" response, which is your body's normal response and helps to protect itself from possible harm. This normal response causes a release of certain hormones and increases alertness, blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing. In time, most people recover from a frightening event naturally, but some people develop  PTSD. With PTSD, a person feels stressed and frightened long after the trauma is over, such as in the military and those who've been abuses or violated sexually. In some cases, symptoms of PTSD are fleeting, but for some, the symptoms can significantly impact a persons quality of life.

Effective treatment for PTSD usually involves a combination of medications and psychotherapy. PTSD affects everyone differently and the severity of symptoms are often directly related the the severity of the trauma. What works for one individual may not work for someone else.

Two of the main symptoms of a psychotic disorder are delusions and hallucinations. Delusions are false beliefs about reality, such as thinking and believing that the FBI is following you or plotting against you. Hallucinations are false perceptions that affect your senses, such as hearing, seeing, or feeling  something that is not real.

Schizophrenia is one type of a psychotic disorder. People with bipolar disorder or prolonged, severe depression may also have psychotic symptoms. Other problems that can cause a state of psychosis includes alcohol and illicit drugs, and certain physical conditions, such as a urinary tract infection in the elderly.

Treatment of a psychotic disorder depends on the cause. It might involve medications to control symptoms and psychotherapy. Sometimes hospitalization is necessary in cases where the psychosis presents as a threat to self or others.

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