Explaining the True Dangers of "Anxiety Disorders" and Effective Prevention Methods

"Anxiety" is a natural response that everyone experiences, but anxiety disorders can cause significant distress and impairment to the mind and body, and if left untreated, they can easily become chronic and severe "illnesses." Representative disorders include Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), panic disorder, agoraphobia, social anxiety disorder, specific phobias, separation anxiety disorder, selective mutism, substance/medication-induced anxiety disorder, and anxiety disorders due to other medical conditions (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and PTSD are classified separately). Approximately 4% of people worldwide currently suffer from anxiety disorders, with an increasing trend reported among younger populations. Primary prevention includes managing sleep, exercise, caffeine/alcohol intake, stress management, mindfulness, and CBT-based self-help. Secondary prevention emphasizes the importance of simple screenings like GAD-7 and early consultation. The first-line treatment is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and SSRIs/SNRIs, while benzodiazepines are not recommended for first-line or long-term use. In Japan, resources such as the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare's "Everyone's Mental Health Comprehensive Site" and the unified mental health consultation hotline are available. This article provides a practical and detailed explanation of how to distinguish disorders, prevention strategies, guidelines for seeking medical attention, and how families can offer support.