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It’s common to get butterflies before giving a presentation or get nervous while walking down a dark and empty street. But for the 40 million American adults with anxiety disorders, constant fearfulness and uncertainty can cause them to skip social events and even prohibit them from leaving the house. “Anxiety disorders are mental illnesses that cause exaggerated worry and tension over everyday events,” says Tahir Sheikh, psychiatrist with Adventist Hinsdale and Adventist La Grange Hospitals. “Worrying and fear becomes such a focus that it interferes with every aspect of their life, from work to relationships.”

The following are the most common types of anxiety disorders:

Panic disorder – People who experience this disorder can have panic attacks anytime, anywhere without warning. “It begins like a heart attack,” says Dr. Sheikh. “People feel pressure in their chest, their heart races and they often hyperventilate.”

Social anxiety disorder – For many, this condition starts in their teenage years. Sufferers feel incredibly uncomfortable when the focus is on them, whether they are giving a speech in class or during a job interview. Most people will avoid social situations altogether because they feel they are being judged.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) – Those with OCD perform certain rituals or routines because of the fear of what will happen if they don’t complete them. “Everyone has obsessive-compulsive traits, like organizing their schedule or washing their hands,” Dr. Sheikh says. “But it isn’t a problem unless it consumes you – for example, washing your hands 50 times a day.”

Phobias – are strong, irrational fears that can cause sufferers to avoid everyday situations, despite the fact that their fear poses no harm. Common phobias include snakes, heights and enclosed spaces. People may also experience panic, heart palpitations, shortness of breath and trembling if faced with their fear. “Although many people can lead normal lives with a phobia, their fears can compound and even prohibit them from leaving the house,” Dr. Sheikh says.

Although we don’t know what causes anxiety disorders, we do know family history is a risk factor. Dr. Sheikh suggests talking to a doctor if your quality of life is affected by anxiety. “Fortunately, we know more about anxiety disorders than ever before – including the best ways to treat them,” he says.

There are two common types of treatments – counseling and medication. Counseling addresses the emotional side of having a mental health disorder, and therapists help patients deal with their stress and develop coping strategies. Medications, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), are used to treat anxiety and depression by increasing serotonin in the brain, which improves mood. “Medication in conjunction with counseling is the most successful combination to treat anxiety disorders,” says Dr. Sheikh.

At Adventist Midwest Health, specialized inpatient and outpatient programs are available for patients suffering with anxiety disorders. “Education is a major part of our program,” Dr. Sheikh says. “We teach our patients how to monitor their anxiety and identify symptoms so they can begin their recovery.”