Anxiety
is a vague feeling of dread, apprehension or fear. This is
the body's normal reaction to threatening or dangerous situations.
A certain amount of anxiety is useful, as it stimulates us
to act.
However, in some individuals, excess and
ongoing anxiety can interfere with normal functioning. Disorders
characterized by extreme anxiety include neurosis, phobias
and posttraumatic stress disorder.
In some cases, anxiety disorders can be
treated by counseling and psychotherapy, or by avoiding the
situations that cause excess panic. Drugs
can also be used to reduce anxiety, by interfering with brain
chemicals that signal stress and anxiety (for example, see
beta blockers).
by Catherine E. Myers. Copyright © 2006 Memory Loss and the Brain
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