Experiencing the emotion of fear is normal. Experiencing it at a level seemingly out of proportion to the event or situation, is a common feature of anxiety disorders.
Types of Anxiety Disorders
There are generally two types of anxiety disorders.
In one group, anxiety presents itself in the form of an intermittent disorder. An example of this is with phobias, which bring about a great level of anxiety when faced with an animal, object or circumstance.
On the other hand, generalized disorders that occur chronically and have no specific triggers would fit into the second group. These would fall under diagnoses such as Generalized Anxiety Disorder or panic disorders.
It’s important to remember that fear and anxiety are in and of themselves healthy emotions that all individuals experience. However, an anxiety disorder may be indicated when your ability to take part in day-to-day life becomes affected, in one or more areas, consistently. While being nervous to take a test or attend an event may be a typical expression of anxiety, someone who can’t leave their house for fear of having a panic attack leading them to avoid school, work, or events, may have a diagnosable anxiety disorder.
But don’t fret, there is hope. Identifying the triggering factors of one’s anxiety can often help a mental health professional direct treatment. For more persistent, severe, and chronic anxiety, a genetic predisposition or biological imbalance may be the underlying issue, requiring further investigation and possible medicinal or nutritional intervention.
It’s important to keep in mind that anxiety is treatable. With the right support, guidance, and insight, being able to live a healthy productive life is possible.