Anxiety Disorders

Many people experience symptoms of anxiety at some point in their lives. Having these feelings labelled as a disorder may enable you to get the treatment you need, but may not help you or others understand the context behind your symptoms (see Oppression). Instead of examining the culture that allows or ignores violence against GLBTT* people, being labelled as having a disorder may make it appear as though an individual, rather than a culture, is responsible for this imbalance.

Anxiety disorders can develop when there is too much negative stress in your life. Simply being closeted about your GLBTT* identity can be a source of anxiety. Everyone experiences anxiety from time to time, but it can become a diagnosable illness if it is ongoing and interfering with your regular routines. The following are some common anxiety disorders:

• Panic Disorder is characterized by sudden attacks of fear that can affect your breathing and heart rate, leave you feeling dizzy, frightened, and out of control.
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder involves repeated thought patterns that cause anxiety, and that are usually relieved by ritual-like behaviours.
• Social Phobia or Social Anxiety Disorder is an excessive and uncontrollable fear of social situations and interactions.
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a response to a past experience that was particularly painful or traumatic. Symptoms may include nightmares, flashbacks, sleeping problems, or irritability.
• Generalized Anxiety Disorder covers any other form of anxiety that lasts for an extended period of time and disrupts or affects everyday routines.

If you think you may have an anxiety disorder, a health care provider or GLBTT* positive organization can direct you to some possible ways of treating and managing your anxiety. You don’t have to continue suffering or manage uncontrollable thoughts and feelings on your own.

Managing Anxiety Disorders (downloadable Anxiety Disorders Toolkit)
http://heretohelp.bc.ca/skills/managing-anxiety