An anxiety disorder is a type of mental health condition. If you have an anxiety disorder, you may respond to certain things and situations with fear and dread. You may also experience physical signs of anxiety, such as a pounding heart and sweating.

It’s normal to have some anxiety. You may feel anxious or nervous if you have to tackle a problem at work, go to an interview, take a test or make an important decision. And anxiety can even be beneficial. For example, anxiety helps us notice dangerous situations and focuses our attention, so we stay safe.

But an anxiety disorder goes beyond the regular nervousness and slight fear you may feel from time to time. An anxiety disorder happens when:

• Anxiety interferes with your ability to function.
• You often overreact when something triggers your emotions.
• You can’t control your responses to situations.

Anxiety disorders can make it difficult to get through the day. Fortunately, there are several effective treatments for anxiety disorders.

There are several types of anxiety disorders, including:

• Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
• Panic disorder
• Phobias

Separation anxiety

Causes

Anxiety disorders are like other forms of mental illness. They don’t come from personal weakness, character flaws or problems with upbringing. But researchers don’t know exactly what causes anxiety disorders. They suspect a combination of factors plays a role:

• Chemical imbalance: Severe or long-lasting stress can change the chemical balance that controls your mood. Experiencing a lot of stress over a long period can lead to an anxiety disorder.
• Environmental factors: Experiencing a trauma might trigger an anxiety disorder, especially in someone who has inherited a higher risk to start.
• Heredity: Anxiety disorders tend to run in families. You may inherit them from one or both parents, like eye color.

Symptoms vary depending on the type of anxiety disorder you have. General symptoms of an anxiety disorder include:

Symtoms:

Physical symptoms:

• Cold or sweaty hands.
• Dry mouth.
• Heart palpitations.
• Numbness or tingling in hands or feet.
• Muscle tension.
• Shortness of breath.
  
  

Mental symptoms:

• Feeling panic, fear and uneasiness.
• Repeated thoughts or flashbacks of traumatic experiences.
• Uncontrollable, obsessive thoughts.
  
  

Behavioral symptoms:

• Inability to be still and calm.
• Ritualistic behaviors, such as washing hands repeatedly.
• Trouble sleeping.

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