by Christian Cacibauda
Find Online Colleges Columnist

We all experience anxiety from time to time: a fight with a spouse, a tight deadline at work, or a close call in traffic. For many Americans, however, anxiety is a constant and unfriendly companion. If you’re interested in pursuing an advanced online degree in psychology, chances are you’ll treat some of America’s most anxious sufferers every day.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), anxiety disorders affect 40 million adult Americans every year. Anxiety disorders, by definition, last at least six months and grow worse without treatment. Here are three common disorders you might encounter in the field of psychology.

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)—Affecting 6.8 million Americans, GAD is characterized by severe worry about everyday problems. Problems with work, money, or family take on exaggerated significance, and victims find themselves incapable of relaxing. Severe GAD can cause the sufferer to withdraw from life completely.
• Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)—Often surfacing in childhood or early adolescence, SAD affects 15 million American adults. Sufferers become abnormally self-conscious in everyday social situations, experiencing an intense, chronic fear of being judged by others. SAD can interfere with school, work, and many other ordinary social activities.
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)—People generally develop PTSD following a frightening ordeal involving physical harm or the threat of physical harm. Often the afflicted is the victim of violence or a witness to violence perpetrated on others. Symptoms of PTSD include anxiety, emotional detachment, loss of interest in normal activities, irritability, aggression, and even violence. PTSD affects about 7.7 million American adults.

All three can be treated with medication and of psychotherapy. The proper course of treatment is determined by a psychologist and the patient.

If you’ve already gotten a bachelor’s degree and want to go back to school for an advanced psychology degree, consider pursuing online training. Many colleges offer online degrees in general, clinical, and counseling psychology. The ease of telecommuting to class allows you to complete a degree at your own pace, while continuing to work full-time. With so many distance learning options available to students seeking master’s or doctorate degrees, the prospect of going back to school seems far less anxious indeed.

About the Author

Christian Cacibauda is a writer and editor based in Northern Nevada.

Source(s)

“Anxiety Disorders,” National Institute of Mental Health