What is Anxiety?
Anxiety, or chronic anxiety, is a relatively permanent state of worry and nervousness occurring in a variety of mental disorders, usually accompanied by compulsive behavior or attacks of panic. It can be alternately labelled Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Panic Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), or Separation Anxiety Disorder, depending on the specifics of the problem.
What causes Anxiety?
Anxiety disorders may be caused by environmental factors, medical factors, genetics, brain chemistry, substance abuse, or a combination thereof. It is most commonly triggered by stress. Physical symptoms include, but are not limited to: trembling, churning stomach, nausea, diarrhea, headache, backache, heart palpitations, and excessive sweating.
How is Anxiety treated?
Anxiety disorders are treated in two ways – with medication and therapy. Sometimes only one treatment is used or both treatments are combined. A number of drugs used for treating depression, called antidepressants, have been found to help with anxiety disorders as well.
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