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What is an Anxiety Disorder? |
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Written by Gary Presant, MD
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Monday, 05 October 2009 |
Anxiety is a vague, uncomfortable feeling of fear, dread, or danger. Anxiety disorders are a group of psychiatric conditions that involve anxiety. The problem may be real or imaginary. Symptoms can vary in severity and length.
There are several types of anxiety:
- acute situational anxiety
- generalized anxiety disorder
- panic disorder
- post-traumatic stress disorder
- phobias
- obsessive compulsive disorders
What is going on in the body?
Everyone feels anxious from time to time. People who are anxious may be worried about things around them. They may have an internal, mental struggle. Sometimes anxiety is so severe it causes a great deal of distress. It can interfere with the ability to function in society. In these cases, an anxiety disorder is said to be present.
What are the causes and risks of the condition?
Anxiety disorders are not caused by other medical conditions. It is not known why some people are more anxious than others. The feeling of anxiety is caused by the body's defense mechanisms. This is called fight or flight. The body makes adrenaline, which causes the symptoms.
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