Anxiety, a Review
Abstract
A review of research on anxiety: the physiological, neurological, and psychological aspects. Covered in brief are the definitions, classifications, symptomologies, and demographics of those affected. Prior studies and research are addressed from different points of view including inherent traits, biological basis, and environmental factors. Rationale and different treatment modalities from both the neurological and psychological perspectives are presented.
Introduction
Because anxiety disorders are highly prevalent, routinely affecting millions of people worldwide, they are of great concern within the fields of medicine and psychology today. These psychiatric disorders are “characterized by unrealistic, unfounded fear and anxiety” (Carlson, 467) many of which appear to have a biological basis. Afflicting twice as many females as males as well of people of all age groups, these mental disorders are “characterized by various combinations of key features (which include) Irritability, fear, Insomnia, Nervousness, Tachycardia, Inability to concentrate, poor coping skills, Palpitation, Sweating, Agoraphobia, and Social Withdrawal” (Ashwani, Tarun, Ajay, & Anil, 2011) as well as feelings of worry, apprehension, tension, shortness of breath, dizziness, faintness, feelings of unreality, and expectation of impending disaster, (Carlson, 467). Overall, there is an abnormally high level of distress with psychological and physiological symptoms “manifested by hyper arousal of the central nervous system” (Ashawani, Tarun, Ajay, & Anil, 2011). These characteristics can be debilitating, interfering with work, school, personal relationships, and the ability to perform minor tasks, sometimes leaving people unable to leave their own homes.
Classifications and Definitions
There are five main classifications of anxiety disorders. These include panic disorder (PD) which is characterized by recurrent “attacks of acute anxiety
A review of research on anxiety: the physiological, neurological, and psychological aspects. Covered in brief are the definitions, classifications, symptomologies, and demographics of those affected. Prior studies and research are addressed from different points of view including inherent traits, biological basis, and environmental factors. Rationale and different treatment modalities from both the neurological and psychological perspectives are presented.
Introduction
Because anxiety disorders are highly prevalent, routinely affecting millions of people worldwide, they are of great concern within the fields of medicine and psychology today. These psychiatric disorders are “characterized by unrealistic, unfounded fear and anxiety” (Carlson, 467) many of which appear to have a biological basis. Afflicting twice as many females as males as well of people of all age groups, these mental disorders are “characterized by various combinations of key features (which include) Irritability, fear, Insomnia, Nervousness, Tachycardia, Inability to concentrate, poor coping skills, Palpitation, Sweating, Agoraphobia, and Social Withdrawal” (Ashwani, Tarun, Ajay, & Anil, 2011) as well as feelings of worry, apprehension, tension, shortness of breath, dizziness, faintness, feelings of unreality, and expectation of impending disaster, (Carlson, 467). Overall, there is an abnormally high level of distress with psychological and physiological symptoms “manifested by hyper arousal of the central nervous system” (Ashawani, Tarun, Ajay, & Anil, 2011). These characteristics can be debilitating, interfering with work, school, personal relationships, and the ability to perform minor tasks, sometimes leaving people unable to leave their own homes.
Classifications and Definitions
There are five main classifications of anxiety disorders. These include panic disorder (PD) which is characterized by recurrent “attacks of acute anxiety
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