Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders are characterised by chronic

long term anxiety

or fear out of proportion to the situation. Anxiety disorders include

Generalised Anxiety Disorder

(GAD),

Social Phobia

,

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

(OCD) and

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

(PTSD). Other disorders include specific phobias such as heights or flying and

Panic Disorder

. These disorders are generally long term and require management to overcome. GPs can refer patients to a

psychologist

or

psychiatrist

for additional diagnosis and a treatment plan. Treatments include therapy such as

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

with a qualified

psychologist

or

psychiatrist

and antidepressant medication such as

SSRIs

(Selective Serotonin reuptake inhibitors). Helpful complementary therapies include practicing

mindfulness

,

regular exercise

and

relaxation techniques

.