Anxiety Disorder

Anxiety is a normal response to a situation that makes a person feel threatened or uncomfortable.

But people with an anxiety disorder experience anxiety so intense and pervasive they cannot cope with day-to-day challenges. In some cases, they may be completely disabled by the disorder.

Anxiety disorder is the most common of all mental illnesses, but also the most treatable. Anxiety disorder takes many forms including: general anxiety disorder, panic disorder and social anxiety disorder.

Anxiety disorders often occur with other psychiatric disorders, especially depression.

Medical Impact of Anxiety Disorder
A person with anxiety disorder often has other stress-related conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome. Physical symptoms may include shaking, sweating, a racing heart, dizziness, nausea and vomiting. A person may experience trembling, headaches, hot flashes, fatigue and irritability.

Signs of Anxiety Disorder
A person who requires treatment for an anxiety disorder may appear overwhelmed by routine tasks and may even be completely disabled and unable to function.

Individuals with anxiety disorder are excessively fearful, worried and tense. They may have flashbacks about past trauma and typically suffer from insomnia. They may exhibit ritualistic behavior. Signs of anxiety disorder in childhood, when it often begins, include a tendency to seek perfection and a need for constant reassurance.

Causes of Anxiety Disorder
Generalized anxiety disorder is genetic, according to the NIMH, and worsens when a person is exposed to stress. It often begins in childhood and is much more common in women than it is in men. Some forms of anxiety may be triggered by a traumatic event, such as the death of a loved one or a divorce.

Treatment
Treatment includes a combination of medication, including antidepressants, and behavioral therapy. Relaxation techniques and coping strategies are used, and the patient develops an understanding of what triggers anxiety.