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People
experiencing anxiety disorders are frequently misunderstood
or dismissed as the worried well, thought to be
suffering from nerves or being highly strung. Society
has been slow to recognize the suffering and disability
that is caused by anxiety disorders.
Everybody
knows what it's like to feel anxious—the butterflies
in your stomach before a first date, the tension
you feel when your boss is angry, the way your heart
pounds if you're in danger. Anxiety rouses you to
action. It gears you up to face a threatening situation.
It makes you study harder for that exam, and keeps
you on your toes when you're making a speech. In
general, it helps you cope.
But if
you have an anxiety disorder, this normally helpful
emotion can do just the opposite—it can keep
you from coping and can disrupt your daily life.
Anxiety disorders aren't just a case of "nerves."
They are illnesses, often related to the biological
makeup and life experiences of the individual, and
they frequently run in families. There are several
types of anxiety disorders, each with its own distinct
features.
Anxiety
disorders profoundly affect people's work, social,
and family life. People experiencing anxiety disorders
have a higher risk of suicide, drug and alcohol
abuse.
Anxiety
disorders are the most common of all the mental
disorders. Through research performed by U.S. government
scientists and various other scientific institutions
related to mental disorders, mental health, and
the brain, scientists are learning more and more
about the nature of anxiety disorders, their causes,
and how to alleviate them.
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