Anxiety refers to a general or diffuse emotional reaction-beyond simple fear--- that is out of proportion to threats from the environment. Rather than being directed at a person's present circumstances, anxiety is associated with the anticipation of future problems.

Anxiety affects your whole being as it can manifest physiologically (e.g. through bodily reactions such as rapid heartbeat, muscle tension, queasiness, dry mouth, or sweating), behaviorally (e.g. sabotaging one's ability to act, express oneself, deal with certain everyday situations), and psychologically (e.g. a subjective state of apprehension and uneasiness).

Anxiety versus Anxiety Disorder

Although anxiety is an inevitable part of life in contemporary society, anxiety disorders are distinguished from everyday, normal anxiety in that they involve anxiety that fill people's lives with overwhelming worry and fear.

Unlike the relatively mild, brief anxiety (often referred to as "butterflies" or "jitters") that we all experience in certain situations (e.g. giving a speech or going on a first date), anxiety disorders are chronic, relentless, and can grow progressively worse if not treated .

Anxiety disorders are serious medical illnesses that affect more than 20 million American adults.

What are the causes of anxiety?

Several factors seem to contribute to the development of anxiety disorders. Research suggests that anxiety disorders both run in families and are the result of one's brain chemistry. Certain experiences and one's general disposition (or personality) are also thought to influence the likelihood of having an anxiety disorder.

Types of Anxiety Disorders

Panic Disorder

Characterized by sudden episodes of acute apprehension or intense fear that occur "out of the blue, and without apparent cause.

Symptoms of panic disorder include: chest pain, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, abdominal distress, feelings of unreality, and fear of dying.

Phobias

Defined as exaggerated, involuntary, and irrational fears of particular situations or things. The most common categories are:

Specific (or simple) phobia, which are brought on by a specific object or situation such as flying, heights, needled, or snakes.
Social phobia (social anxiety disorder), which is limited specifically to social situations and involves experiences of extreme fear of meeting new people and of being embarrassed, humiliated, or judged by others.
Agoraphobia, which involves an intense fear of being trapped in particular spaces or situations or not being able to find help if anxiety or panic is experienced.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Repeated, unwanted thoughts or compulsive behaviors that seem impossible to stop or control.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Characterized by chronic anxiety that persists for at least 6 months. With GAD the frequency and intensity of worry are always out of proportion to the likelihood of the feared event(s) happening.

Symptoms of GAD include: fatigue, trembling, muscle tension, headache, or nausea.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Symptoms that occur in anyone in the wake of severe trauma that it outside the range of normal human experience (e.g. rape/ other assault, war, abuse, etc).

Symptoms of PTSD include: nightmares, flashbacks, numbing of emotions, depression, and feeling angry, irritable or distracted, and being easily startled.

How is anxiety treated?

A complete program of recovery from an anxiety disorder must intervene at three levels to (1) reduce physiological reactivity (medication), (2) eliminate avoidance behavior (behavior therapy), (3) change subjective interpretations (or "self talk") which perpetuate a state of apprehension and worry (cognitive-behavior therapy).

Psychotherapy: or 'talk therapy' has been found to be very effective in treating those who suffer from anxiety. The forms of therapy that have been found to be most effective in treating anxiety disorders are behavioral therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy.

Behavioral therapy involves relaxation techniques and gradual exposure to the thing or situation that causes anxiety in an attempt to reduce that anxiety.

Cognitive therapy involves helping the individual react differently to what causes them anxiety by changing patterns of thinking.

Medication: A number of medications originally approved for treating depression have also been found to be effective for treating anxiety disorders as well. Some of the newest antidepressants are called serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These include: Zoloft, Paxil, and Prozac. Other anti-anxiety medications include a group of drugs called benzodiazepines and beta-blockers. These include: Xanax, Valium, and Ativan.

Research shows that the most effective approach to treating anxiety is the combination of medication and psychotherapy. Remember: As with any type of treatment it is important that a fair trial be given!

Strategies That Make Treatment More Effective

Many people who suffer from anxiety benefit from joining a self-help group where they can share their problems and achievements with others.

Talking with a trusted friend or trusted member of the clergy can also be helpful for some.

Participating in an internet chat room may also be of value in sharing concerns and decreasing feelings of isolation (Note: Any advice received from a website should be viewed with caution).

The family can also serve as an importance source of support for people recovering from anxiety. Ideally, the family should be supportive without helping to perpetuate the person's symptoms. If the family tends to trivialize the problems or demand improvement without treatment, the affected person will suffer. Providing education to and enlisting the help of your family in your fight against anxiety will go a long way.

Stress management techniques and meditation may help to calm you and enhance the effects of therapy.

Some evidence supports aerobic exercise as useful in managing experiences of anxiety.

It is further known that caffeine, illicit drugs, and even some over-the-counter cold medications can aggravate symptoms of anxiety

What is Anxiety?