Anxiety Disorder

Anxiety is a normal human emotion that everyone experiences from time to time.

People may feel anxious when facing problems, challenges, changes, or difficult decisions.

Anxiety disorders, however, are dysfunctional responses to anxiety-inducing situations.

The difference between normal anxiety and an anxiety disorder is that anxiety disorders cause such severe distress as to interfere with someone’s ability to lead a normal life.

“Anxiety disorder” refers to any of a number of specific disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, phobia, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and social anxiety disorder.

Anxiety disorders are defined by excessive worry, apprehension, and fear about future events or situations, either real or imagined.

Feelings of panic, fear, or uneasiness
Uncontrollable and obsessive thoughts
Flashbacks to traumatic events
Problems sleeping
Nightmares
Shortness of breath
Nausea
Muscle tension
Dizziness
Heart palpitations
Dry mouth
Cold or sweaty hands

Anxiety in and of itself is not a bad thing. In fact, the hormonal response involved in anxiety evolved to help humans react to danger—it better prepares them to recognize threats and to act accordingly to ensure their safety. Such sensory information is processed by the amygdala, which communicates information about potential threats to the rest of the brain.
However, anxiety becomes counterproductive and thus is deemed “disordered” when it is experienced with such intensity that it impedes social functioning.

Anxiety disorders develop as the result of the interaction of genetic (inherited) and environmental factors. In addition to biological factors, anxiety disorders can also be caused by various life stresses, such as financial worries or chronic physical illness.