About 19 million Americans have
anxiety disorders.
Myth
Anxiety disorders aren't real illnesses.
Fact
Anxiety disorders are real and serious
medical conditions, just like diabetes.
They might develop from many factors.
These could include your genes, the
makeup of your brain,
and upsetting events in your life.
Myth
There is only one type of anxiety
disorder.
Fact
In fact, there are many types of
anxiety disorders. Some of them are
social anxiety disorder, obsessive-
compulsive disorder, panic disorder,
posttraumatic stress disorder, and
generalized anxiety disorder.
Myth
Anxiety disorders are part of
your personality. They can't be
changed.
Fact
Anxiety disorders can be treated with
medication, therapy, or a
combination of both.
Myth
Women and men are affected by
anxiety disorders at the same rates.
Fact
For four of the many anxiety
disorders,women are twice as likely
to be affected as men. These
disordersinclude generalized anxiety
disorder, obsessive-compulsive
disorder, panic disorder, and
posttraumatic stress disorder.
Myth
Feeling extreme anxiety means you've
lost control of yourself.
Fact
You might not be controlling your
reaction to the anxiety, but you're
still in control of your actions.
Myth
Avoiding certain situations can prevent
anxiety attacks.
Fact
Staying away from situations only
makes people feel more helpless and
anxious in the long run.
Myth
To get rid of anxiety attacks, you need
to know how and why they started.
Fact
It's more helpful to learn how to
respond to feelings of anxiety in
ways that reduce it, like thinking and
acting in a clear-headed way.
