Anxiety disorder is a mental illness in which experiences that are normal under certain circumstances occur with unhealthy frequency and intensity. People with anxiety experience exaggerated worry and tension, even when there is no apparent reason for concern. Anxiety disorder is marked by frequent, extended, and intense periods of worry, nervousness, fear, or dread, and is a potentially debilitating condition that falls under the general term mood disorder. Generalized anxiety is diagnosed when an individual has been excessively worried about an everyday problem for six months or more. Anxiety disorder attack symptoms include:
- Fatigue or lethargy
- Sleep disturbances
- Inability to focus or concentrate
- Irritability and restlessness
- Overwhelming irrational fears
- Constantly anticipating danger
- Sudden heart-pounding panic
- Experiencing these symptoms without any negative stimulus
Anxiety can range from disruptive to debilitating, although many individuals that have struggled with this condition have been able to overcome the problems with professional treatment.
Anxiety can lead to unexpected and repeated episodes of panic attacks. Panic attacks are sudden rushes of intense fear and anxiety that seem to occur for no apparent reason and are accompanied by physical symptoms that mimic a heart attack, such as chest pain, a racing or pounding heart, shortness of breath, or dizziness. Other symptoms of a panic attack are sweating, shaking, nausea, a fear of dying, and a fear of losing control. People who suffer from panic attacks may also suffer from agoraphobia, which could lead sufferers to avoid situations or places that they fear will trigger an attack.
Anxiety and Co-occurring Disorders
Anxiety is often associated with co-occurring disorders such as substance abuse and addiction. For many individuals, the abuse of alcohol or other drugs begins as a means of self-medicating their anxiety and panic symptoms. This substance abuse exacerbates the symptoms of anxiety and panic, which can lead to an ever-worsening cycle of drug abuse and self-intrusive behaviors.