Anxiety disorders are a group of mental illnesses that cause constant and overwhelming anxiety and fear. The excessive anxiety can make you avoid work, school, family get-togethers, and other social situations that might trigger or worsen your symptoms. webmd.comAnxiety disorders are a cluster of mental disorders characterized by significant and uncontrollable feelings of anxiety and fear such that a person's social, occupational, and personal function are significantly impaired. Anxiety may cause physical and cognitive symptoms, such as restlessness, irritability, easy fatiguability, difficulty concentrating, increased heart rate, chest pain, abdominal pain, and a variety of other symptoms that may vary based on the individual. Cognitive disorder with an excessive, irrational dread of everyday situations.
Symptoms: Panic, fear, and uneasiness; feelings of panic, doom, or danger, sleep problems; not being able to stay calm and still; cold, sweaty, numb, or tingling hands or feet; shortness of breath; hyperventilation; heart palpitations; dry mouth; nausea; tense muscles; dizziness; thinking about a problem over and over again and unable to stop (rumination); inability to concentrate; intensely or obsessively avoiding feared objects or places
Causes: Genetics, brain chemistry, environmental stress, drug withdrawal or misuse, medical conditions
Risk factors: History of mental health disorder, trauma, negative life events, severe illness or chronic health condition, substance abuse, personality, low self-esteem Treatments: Psychotherapy, medication, lifestyle changes (physical activity, stress management and relaxation techniques, sleep and healthy diet) Panic attacks: Panic atta cks are sudden periods of intense fear that come on quickly and reach their peak within minutes. Attacks can occur unexpectedly or can be brought on by a trigger, such as a feared object or situation. During a panic attack, people may experience: heart palpitations, sweating trembling or shaking, sensations of shortness of breath, smothering, or choking, feelings of impending doom, feelings of being out of control Anxiety in children: When children do not outgrow the fears and worries that are typical in young children, or when there are so many fears and worries that they interfere with school, home, or play activities, the child may be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder