Anxiety: an overview:

Anxiety disorders are a cluster of disorders that impair the normal functioning of an individual at social, emotional and professional levels on a regular basis. Anxiety is known as the general feeling of trepidation about potential danger. Originally, anxiety disorders were thought to be specimens of neurotic behavior which triggered certain avoidance behaviors such as not leaving one’s home to avoid various dreaded and embarrassing situations or defense mechanisms such as rationalizing that taking the steps is more convenient than taking the elevator. Although, neurotic behavior is marked by faulty adaptation and is self- annihilating, a neurotic individual is not out of touch with reality, confused or dangerous. Such an individual’s social and professional skills are impaired by the efforts to endure with their fear, whether by avoiding it or taking extreme precautions to guard against it.

Anxiety disorders are known to affect more than 23 million Americans each year. According to a survey, approximately 30 percent of females and 19 percent of males are affected by these disorders at some point of time.

Characteristics of Anxiety disorders:

Anxiety can be defined as a complex blend of emotions that is much more teeming than fear. Some of the characteristics of anxiety disorder involve negative mood, constant worry about possible future threat or danger, self-preoccupation with such dreaded thoughts and the sense of being unable to predict the future threat or to control it if it occurs. Individuals affected by this disorder have a marked state of continual over arousal which may reflect the state of willingness for dealing with danger. These individuals tend to avoid situations where the danger or threat might be encountered, but there is no immediate urge to escape. Although, anxiety can be adaptive in certain cases, it becomes maladaptive when it is unending and severe and often without a cause. Most of the threatening situations and instances that incite fear or anxiety are learned.

Types of Anxiety disorders:

Anxiety disorders are marked by an impractical, irrational fear or anxiety of crippling intensity. The primary types of anxiety disorders are:

• Phobic disorders of the specific or of social type
• Panic disorder with or without agoraphobia
• Generalized anxiety disorder
• Obsessive compulsive disorder
• Post traumatic stress disorder

Stress: The ultimate culprit

Various types of psychological problems can arise in individuals on account of stress. Even well balanced and stable individuals can break down when exposed to extensive stress, natural disasters or torture. For certain individuals, even day to day issues can become extremely disturbing, paving way for the development of anxiety disorders. It might become difficult for these individuals to socialize with friends, wait in a queue for a bus or taken an elevator.