Anxiety is not in itself a disorder. It can be a normal reaction to stress. Controlled levels of anxiety can, in many cases, be beneficial by alerting people to dangers and helping them to pay attention and prepare.
On the other hand, anxiety disorders involve excessive levels of fear or anxiety, above any normal feelings of anxiousness or nervousness. Anxiety disorders are the most common of mental disorders, affecting nearly one in three adults at some point. Anxiety disorders can be treated with psychotherapeutic treatments, medications, or some combination.
There is a difference between anxiety and fear. Anxiety refers to an anticipation of a future concern and is more likely to induce avoidance behavior. Fear is an emotional response to an immediate threat and is more likely to induce the “fight or flight” response.
There are several types of anxiety disorders (shown by the levels of incidence in the US population):
- generalized anxiety disorder (3%)
- Agoraphobia (1-2%)
- panic disorder (2-3%)
- specific phobias (8-12% )
- social anxiety disorder (7%)
- separation anxiety disorder (4% for children)
- selective mutism (1-2%).
Women are more likely than men to experience anxiety disorders.
ADHD and anxiety disorders have a complex relationship. Anxiety and ADHD affect each other, and one disorder may cause another. Anxiety alone is not included in the diagnostic criterion for ADHD; however, the link between the two conditions is strong. Individuals with ADHD are more likely to have an anxiety disorder than individuals without the condition, with the rate of coincidences approaching 50%.
