The strict definition of anxiety is a combination of emotions such as fear and apprehension. It can lead to other problems, including physical conditions such as nausea, chills, trembling, chest pain and being short of breath. Most people experience some form of anxiety from time to time, but people who suffer from an anxiety disorder have a chronic problem that stays with them all the time.
There are a number of things that can lead to anxiety. A fear of some event or situation that is yet to come, a memory of something that happened in the past or an event that is happening now can all cause anxiety problems.
It can also be caused by unfamiliar situations, which often make people uneasy. Public speaking or other public attention is a very common example. Studies have shown that many people are more afraid of speaking in front of people than they are of dying.
Anxiety disorders - a chronic form of anxiety - can be genetic or they may be due to some sort of trauma in the past. These disorders come in several forms including generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic attack disorder (PAD), social anxiety disorder (SAD), obsessive compulsive disorder, or post traumatic stress disorder. They can also include specific fears or phobias.
Many people who suffer from anxiety don't do anything about it - they feel they can just live with it and learn to deal with it. Sometimes this is not possible, however. If left untreated, these problems can become gradually worse, leading to more serious side-effects and possibly other illnesses.
There are several forms of treatment for anxiety problems. Medication is one of the common ones. Drugs such as Valium, Xanax and Klonopin are used to treat anxiety, but they can sometimes become addictive so they are not always the best choice.
Psychotherapy is another common form of treatment. Some people feel it can be "addictive" as well with a person becoming dependent on the attention to deal with their anxiety. It is a healthier alternative to medication in some cases, however.
There are also alternative treatment methods such as herbal supplements and mental relaxation techniques that have shown positive effects for many people.
By: George Ferguson -