Anxiety
is a general feeling of fear and apprehension, which can
be brought about by any stressful situation. Normally we
are able to cope with feelings of anxiety, and eventually
get past them. However, general anxiety disorder is much
more serious.
People afflicted with this disorder have ongoing,
severe tension and an unrealistic, irrational fear that
interferes with daily functioning.
Forms
and symptoms may include overwhelming feelings of panic
and fear, uncontrollable obsessive thoughts, concentration
problems, difficulty sleeping, and physical symptoms such
as feeling sick to your stomach, "butterflies"
in your stomach, heart pounding, startling easily, and muscle
tension.
Other
types of anxiety disorders include panic disorder, phobias,
obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress
disorder (PTSD). PTSD is unique in that the stressor at
the root of the disorder is unusually severe and psychologically
traumatic, such as a life-threatening situation. The symptoms
of this specific anxiety disorder are recurring thoughts
or nightmares of the traumatic event, and persistent tension
and irritability often accompanied by insomnia and the inability
to tolerate noise. |
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