Anxiety
About
Anxiety is a normal reaction to a stressful situation, a natural defense mechanism. It turns into a disorder when the panic reaction is rewired, creating a pervasive feeling of anxiety that interferes with daily life. Anxiety disorders the most common mental illness in the United States, and affects 40 million adults, 18.1% of the population. Anxiety disorders include separation anxiety disorder, selective mutism, specific phobia, panic disorder, agoraphobia, generalized anxiety disorder, substance and medication-induced anxiety disorder, or anxiety disorder that results from another medical condition. Some of the symptoms that might arise are excessive worrying, agitation, restlessness, difficulty sleeping, muscle tension, headaches and irritability, panic attacks, irrational fear, and avoidance of social situations.
Treatment
Treatment, a combination of medication, psychotherapy, and development of healthy coping skills, revolves around the reduction or elimination of the triggers and stress associated with anxiety disorders. Although anxiety disorders are highly treatable, left untreated, they can cause extreme impairment of life and lead to worsening conditions, self-harm, and suicidal ideation.