Anxiety

Anxiety is a normal reaction to stress and can actually be beneficial in certain situations. For some people, however, anxiety can become excessive. While the person suffering may realize their anxiety is overwhelming, they may have difficulty controlling it and it may negatively affect their day-to-day living.

There are a wide variety of anxiety disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, social phobia, and panic disorder to name a few. Collectively, they are among the most common mental disorders experienced by Americans. Anxiety disorders affect about 40 million American adults age 18 years and older (about 18%) in a given year, causing them to be filled with apprehension, fearfulness and uncertainty.

In general, anxiety disorders are treated with medication, specific types of psychotherapy, or both. Many effective treatment choices are available, depending on the problem and the person’s preference.

Source: National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)