Pathological Anxiety Research Paper

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION......................................................................................……………………….2
Normal Anxiety ………..............................................................................................................3-4
Pathological Anxiety...................................................................................................................4-5

ANXIETY DISORDERS ………………………….......................................................................5
Generalized Anxiety Disorder.....................................................................................................5-6 Panic Disorder .............................................................................................................................6-7
Abnormal anxiety is a chronic condition which impairs peoples ' functioning and interferes with their well-being, thereby causing them significant distress. According to the American Psychiatric Association (DSM-IV-TR), in addition to specific symptoms that may accompany a particular anxiety disorder, the main criteria used to distinguish normal anxiety from an anxiety disorder is the impairment that results in a person 's social, occupational, and/or academic functioning (2000). Additionally, according to Creswell et al, (2006), “the unhealthy anxiety makes you very often restrict your activities” when you do not need to do this, or it can make you lose control because of the psychosomatic symptoms of panic, phobia, tremors that interfere with the ability to appropriately face the situation. (p.265)
Unfortunately for others, their anxiety may be experienced to such a heightened degree that it actually causes them significant distress. Sadly, this level of anxiety often interferes with people 's functioning in many important areas of their lives such as work, school, and relationships. When the normal human experience of anxiety reaches this level of distress, and results in impaired functioning, we begin to speak of an anxiety disorder.
(Durand & Barlow, 2006, p. 130). The American Psychiatric Association (2000) recognized Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) as a debilitating condition, with uncontrolled and excessive worry as its unique feature. The anxiety associated with this disorder focuses on minor everyday events and not one major worry or concern. People with GAD cannot seem to get rid of their concerns, even though they usually realize that their anxiety is more intense than the situation warrants. They cannot relax, get startled easily and have difficulty concentrating. Generalized Anxiety Disorder develops slowly. It often starts during the teen years or young adulthood. Symptoms may get better or worse at different times, and often are worse during times of stress. (Behar