We all feel uneasy and stressed sometimes. You could even say that you’re feeling a bit anxious. But an anxiety disorder is a step forward into a severe mental condition with a vast number of consequences. Still, anxiety disorders are the most common psychiatric problems, according to data by the American Psychiatric Association.
There’s a high prevalence of anxiety disorders, and the actual numbers are higher still because many cases are not recognized. People often do not know the difference between feeling anxious sometimes and having an anxiety disorder. They don’t know when to look for professional health. Thus, many people in need are not receiving any treatment or professional attention.
That’s why we’re devoting an entire article to anxiety problems. We’re explaining the causes of anxiety, how to recognize anxiety problems and when a brief period of stress turns into a disorder. We’re also going through a few treatment and prevention strategies to relieve the symptoms.
A definition of anxiety
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, anxiety is a feeling of unease, worry, or nervousness. This feeling is related to uncertainty or imminent future events. Under this definition, we all feel anxious from time to time. However, the description is slightly different when it comes from a source of medical authority.
According to the American Psychological Association, anxiety is characterized by worried and intrusive thoughts and tension but also triggers physical changes, including sweating, a rapid heartbeat, dizziness, and an increase in blood pressure.
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