Anxiety

In a clinical context, anxiety refers to an emotional and physiological response to perceived threats or stressors, characterized by excessive worry, fear, or apprehension about future events. While anxiety is a normal and adaptive response in certain situations, it becomes clinically significant when it is disproportionate to the actual threat, persistent, and interferes with daily functioning.

Key Features:

1. Emotional Symptoms:

   • Excessive fear, worry, or a sense of impending doom.
   • Difficulty concentrating or feelings of restlessness.

2. Physical Symptoms:

   • Autonomic arousal, such as increased heart rate (tachycardia), sweating, or shortness of breath.
   • Muscle tension, headaches, dizziness, or gastrointestinal discomfort.

3. Cognitive Symptoms:

   • Catastrophic thinking or rumination about potential negative outcomes.
   • Difficulty controlling intrusive thoughts related to perceived threats.

4. Behavioral Symptoms:

   • Avoidance of situations, people, or objects associated with perceived danger.
   • Difficulty completing tasks due to excessive worry or distraction.

Clinical Anxiety Disorders:

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), anxiety can present as part of various disorders, including:

1. Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Persistent and excessive worry about multiple aspects of life for at least six months, accompanied by physical symptoms like restlessness or sleep disturbances.
2. Panic Disorder: Recurrent, unexpected panic attacks, involving intense fear and physical symptoms such as chest pain or dizziness.
3. Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD): Fear of social or performance situations due to concern about embarrassment or judgment.
4. Specific Phobia: Excessive fear of specific objects or situations (e.g., heights, spiders).
5. Agoraphobia: Anxiety about being in situations where escape may be difficult or help unavailable during a panic attack.
6. Separation Anxiety Disorder: Excessive fear of being apart from significant attachment figures.

Causes and Risk Factors:

• Biological: Dysregulation in brain systems related to fear (e.g., amygdala) and imbalances in neurotransmitters (e.g., GABA, serotonin).
• Psychological: Early trauma, negative thought patterns, or heightened sensitivity to stress.
• Environmental: Stressful life events, chronic stress, or lack of social support.
• Genetic: Family history of anxiety or related disorders.