Anxiety disorders

Anxiety is a diffuse, extremely unpleasant feeling of vulnerability, apprehension, and fear. Symptoms of anxiety disorders include 

1-motor tension

• trembling, 
• jumpiness, 
• inability to relax

2-hyperactivity 

• racing heart, 
• dizziness, 
• perspiration, 

3-apprehension 

• disturbing thoughts

Types of Anxiety

 The following five (of the thirteen in the DSM-IV) types of anxiety disorders are well known.

• Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
• Phobic disorder 
• Panic disorder 
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder 
• Post-traumatic stress disorder 

•  Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
  GADis a condition characterized by excessive anxiety and worrying, occurring more days than not for a period of at least six months. Anxiety is not triggered by any particular object or event but seems to be what Freud called free-floating anxiety, anxiety that is general and pervasive.
• Phobic disorder 
  A Phobic disorder is marked by a continual, irrational fear of a specific situation or object such as snakes, heights, being closed in a small place, or leaving the home environment. Each phobia has a different name depending on the thing feared, such as acrophobia, a fear of high places;agoraphobia, a fear of open spaces; and social phobia, a fear of social or performance situations in which embarrassment may occur.
•  Panic disorder 
  A panic disorder is characterized by a chronic state of tension that can erupt in sudden episodes of intense panic or dread that last several minutes (or hours) and may include a variety of symptoms such as chest pains, trembling, and dizziness.
•  Obsessive-compulsive disorder
  An obsessive-compulsive disorder is an extreme preoccupation with certain thoughts and compulsive performance of particular behaviors. An obsession is the unsolicited reoccurrence of disturbing thoughts; a compulsion is a repetitive behavior (such as checking door locks) or mental activity (counting, praying, etc.) that one feels compelled to do, even against one's will. An example of the disorder is the compulsion to wash one's hands repeatedly, often to the extent of making them sore.
•  Post-traumatic stress disorder is characterized by the reexperiencing of a traumatic event, symptoms of increased arousal, avoidance of reminders of the original trauma, and diminished interest in daily activities. Many war veterans retain vivid memories of (flashbacks) and nightmares about traumatic events experienced during battle.

While the causes of anxiety disorders are not completely understood, it is generally believed that some of the disorders (such as specific phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorders, and panic disorders) may have a genetic basis. One cause may be the inadequate action of the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA).Certain drugs, such as Valium and Librium, which increase the sensitivity of the GABA receptors, help reduce anxiety.