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Anxiety Disorders: Cause and general
information
Anxiety disorders: General
information
 Anxiety
disorders involve a state of distressing, chronic but fluctuating nervousness
that is inappropriately severe for an individual’s circumstances (Merck
Manual).Anxiety is a normal response to stress and is experienced at least
occasionally by almost everyone and is quite different from the experience of
anxiety disorders.
Normal anxiety is related to
a sense of fear which serves an important function to our survival. When you are
faced with what may be perceived as a dangerous situation, anxiety is stimulated
causing a phenomenon referred to as the fight or flight response. Physiological
reactions occur in relation to the fear or perceived threat involved, resulting
in such physical changes as increased blood flow to the heart and muscles, which
then provides the body with the necessary energy and strength to deal with
life-threatening situations such as running from an animal or fighting off a
would-be attacker. However, when anxiety appears at inappropriate times, is too
frequent, too intense, long-lasting, and interferes with your life it may become
an anxiety disorder.
Anxiety disorders are the
most common of the mental disorders and are believed to affect about 15% of
adults in the United States. Unfortunately, anxiety disorders are frequently
not recognized by people who have them or by healthcare professionals and are
not treated.
Cause of anxiety disorders
The cause of anxiety
disorders are not fully known and understood, although both physical and
psychological factors have been identified. Because anxiety disorders are so
prevalent among some families, it is believe that there may be a hereditary
component. On the psychological level, anxiety is viewed as a response to
environmental stresses such as the breakup of important interpersonal
relationships or exposure to life-threatening circumstances. When an
individual’s response to stress is improper or if they are feeling totally
overwhelmed by events in their life, an anxiety disorder may arise. For
example, some people are absolutely terrified of speaking in front of a group of
people, while others may find it exhilarating. Even the thought of this type of
experience may cause anxious symptoms such as sweating, fear, rapid heart rate
and tremor.
Anxiety disorders are also
believed to be caused by a physically disorders such as the use of certain
drugs. For example, an overactive thyroid gland, use of prescribed
corticosteroids, or the use of illegal drugs such as cocaine has been known to
produce symptoms of anxiety disorder.
Some information from the
Merck Manual of Medical Information
Additional
Information and webpage by
Paul Susic
MA
Licensed Psychologist Ph.D. Candidate
(Health and Geriatric Psychologist)
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