''"ADAA" redirects here. For the American Dodgeball Association of America click here

The Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA) is the only U.S. nonprofit organization solely dedicated to increasing awareness and improving the diagnosis, treatment, and cure of anxiety disorders.

Forty million U.S. adults, or one in six adults, suffer from an anxiety disorder, and anxiety disorders are the most common mental illnesses in adults and children. The six anxiety disorders are generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), social anxiety disorder (social phobia), panic disorder, and specific phobias.

ADAA offers free educational information and resources about anxiety disorders, local treatment providers, self-help groups, self-tests, clinical trials, and more. ADAA promotes the message that anxiety disorders are real, serious, and treatable.

History

Founded in 1980 as the Phobia Society of America by a diverse group of clinicians and patients, ADAA changed its name 10 years later to better reflect the distinct anxiety disorders that more sophisticated research had identified. The organization continues to serve clinicians, researchers, and consumers from its Silver Spring, Md., headquarters by funding cutting-edge scientific research through grants and awards and by promoting awareness to remind Americans that anxiety disorders are real and treatable.

ADAA is guided by a board of directors, scientific advisory board, and clinical advisory board and is supported through donations. The association also holds an annual conference that is the only meeting to focus on the science and treatment of anxiety and related disorders in children and adults. ADAA also publishes self-help books and informational brochures that are available exclusively through its website.

In spring 2008, ADAA launched "Treat It, Don't Repeat It: Break Free From OCD," a national educational campaign about obsessive-compulsive disorder. The campaign included public service announcements featuring Howie Mandel, host of "Deal or No Deal;" Tony Shalhoub, star of the award-winning TV Series "Monk" about a detective with OCD; and David Hoberman, co-creator and executive producer of "Monk."

References

External links

• Anxiety Disorders Association of America
• Treat It, Don't Repeat It: Break Free From OCD - Information and resources for people with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and their families
• Got Anxiety? - Information for college students